Feeding behavior of aphids on narrow‐leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) genotypes varying in the content of quinolizidine alkaloids

Abstract

Since the beginning of breeding narrow-leafed lupins [Lupinus angustifolius L. (Fabaceae)] with a low alkaloid content, susceptibility to several aphid species has increased. Therefore, the probing and feeding behavior of Aphis fabae Scopoli, Aphis craccivora Koch, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and the well-adapted Macrosiphum albifrons Essig (all Hemiptera: Aphididae) was studied over 12 h on narrow-leafed lupin genotypes containing varying amounts and compositions of alkaloids. We used the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique to obtain information on the influence of alkaloid content and composition on the susceptibility to various aphid species. Results indicated that the total time of probing of A. fabae, A. craccivora, A. pisum, and M. persicae increased with a reduced alkaloid content, whereas the alkaloid content had no influence on M. albifrons. Almost all of the individuals (>93%) conducted sieve element phases on the highly susceptible genotype Bo083521AR (low alkaloid content). A reduced occurrence of phloem phases was observed during the 12-h recording on the alkaloid-rich cultivar Azuro, especially for A. pisum (37.5%) and A. fabae (55.0%). Furthermore, aphids feeding on genotypes with low alkaloid content had in most cases significantly longer sieve element phases than when feeding on resistant genotypes (Kalya: low alkaloid content, yet resistant; Azuro: high alkaloid content, resistant), whereas M. albifrons showed the longest phloem phase on the alkaloid-rich cultivar Azuro. As most significant differences were found in phloem-related parameters, it is likely that the most important plant factors influencing aphid probing and feeding behavior are localized in the sieve elements. The aphids' feeding behavior on the cultivar Kalya, with a low alkaloid content but reduced susceptibility, indicates that not only the total alkaloid content influences the feeding behavior but additional plant factors have an impact.

Behavioral sensitivity of Myzus persicae to volatile isoprenoids in plant tissues

“…This technique is commonly applied in Hemiptera-plant relationship studies Goławska et al, 2014;Philippi et al, 2015). The effect of VIPs was monitored using the technique of electronic registration of aphid stylet penetration in plant tissues (EPG, electrical penetration graph).…”

“…The effect of VIPs was monitored using the technique of electronic registration of aphid stylet penetration in plant tissues (EPG, electrical penetration graph). This technique is commonly applied in Hemiptera-plant relationship studies Goławska et al, 2014;Philippi et al, 2015). In this experimental setup, aphid and plant are made parts of an electric circuit, which is completed when the aphid inserts its stylets into the plant.…”

The role of jasmonate signalling in quinolizidine alkaloid biosynthesis, wounding and aphid predation response in narrow-leafed lupin

“…Tanjil also shows moderate insect resistance (Edwards et al 2003). As only specialised aphids use bitter NLL as host plants which are not found in Australia (Wink and Witte 1991;Philippi et al 2015), cultivars Kalya and Tallerack were used to assess the impact of aphid feeding in sweet NLL; Kalya is moderately resistant to aphids, whereas Tallerack is susceptible (Berlandier and Sweetingham 2003;Edwards et al 2003).…”

“…The main insect pest affecting NLL crops are aphids, which cause major yield losses in susceptible cultivars by feeding damage and the transmission of plant viruses (Berlandier and Sweetingham 2003). Aphid resistance has been linked to QA levels in leaf and grain tissues (Adhikari et al 2012;Philippi et al 2015) and 'sweet' NLL cultivars, harbouring the low-QA domestication locus iucundus (iuc) (von Sengbusch 1942) are much more susceptible to aphid predation than 'bitter' wild NLL accessions that produce high QA levels (Philippi et al 2015). The response of QA biosynthesis to predation by phloem feeding insects such as aphids has not yet been assessed.…”

Struggle to survive: aphid—plant relationships under low-light stress. A case of Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) and Pisum sativum L.

“…Weak voltage is supplied to the plant, and all voltage changes are recorded as EPG waveforms that have been correlated with aphid activities and stylet tip positions in plant tissues (Tjallingii 1994;Pettersson et al 2007; http://www.epgsystems.eu/epg/measuring-systems). The values of parameters derived from EPG recordings, e.g., the duration of probing, duration of phloem sap ingestion, number of probes, etc., reflect the level of suitability of plants to aphids (Mayoral et al 1996;Pettersson et al 2007;Philippi et al 2015; http://www.epgsystems.eu/file/ 46-waveform-features). Adult (1-5 days old) apterous females of A. pisum were collected from the stock culture and their probing behavior was recorded on plants grown under three light regimes (FL, LL, NL) for 8 h continuously.…”