Local and systemic responses induced by aphids in Solanum tuberosum plants

Abstract

The aphids Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) are serious pests of potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) (Solanaceae), notably in transmitting several plant viruses. Heterospecific interactions may occur between these two species as they are often seen at the same time on the same potato plant in the field. As aphid infestation is known to induce both local and systemic changes, we conducted experiments to determine the effect of previous infestation on probing behaviour and feeding-related parameters. We used the DC electrical penetration graph technique to characterize the influence of previous infestation by conspecific M. persicae or by heterospecific Ma. euphorbiae on M. persicae feeding behaviour at both local and systemic levels, i.e., on previously infested leaves and on non-previously infested leaves of infested plants, respectively. Conspecific and heterospecific infestation led to similar modification of M. persicae feeding activities. However, the effects of previous infestation occurring at the local level were opposite to those observed at the systemic level. Myzus persicae food acceptance was slightly enhanced on previously infested leaves, whereas it was inhibited on non-infested leaves of infested plants, which indicated an induced resistance mechanism. Our results advance the understanding of the mechanisms involved in aphid-host plant acceptance and colonization processes on potato plants in conspecific and heterospecific situations.

The effect of co-infestation by conspecific and heterospecific aphids on the feeding behaviour of Nasonovia ribisnigri on resistant and susceptible lettuce cultivars

“…On Corbana, only the number of probes was affected by M. euphorbiae. In contrast, Dugravot et al (2007) found a reduction in the number of probes for M. persicae on potato after previous infestation by M. euphorbiae. Myzus persicae only increased the number of probes on both Corbana and Terlana for Nr:0.…”

“…Outliers are plotted as asterisks and circles essential and other amino acids; however, this effect was shown to be species-specific; feeding by S. graminum and Diuraphis noxia Mordvilko increased the nutritional quality of the phloem sap, whereas feeding by R. padi did not. Enhanced susceptibility was also found for a susceptible tomato cultivar after pre-infestation of M. persicae (Civolani et al 2010) and susceptible potato and peach varieties after conspecific pre-infestation of M. persicae or of M. euphorbiae (Dugravot et al 2007;Sauge et al 2002). However, on potato plants, these effects were only observed on previously infested leaves; systemic leaves showed a decrease in susceptibility, suggesting a systemicinduced resistance triggered by pre-infestation (Dugravot et al 2007).…”

“…Enhanced susceptibility was also found for a susceptible tomato cultivar after pre-infestation of M. persicae (Civolani et al 2010) and susceptible potato and peach varieties after conspecific pre-infestation of M. persicae or of M. euphorbiae (Dugravot et al 2007;Sauge et al 2002). However, on potato plants, these effects were only observed on previously infested leaves; systemic leaves showed a decrease in susceptibility, suggesting a systemicinduced resistance triggered by pre-infestation (Dugravot et al 2007). This difference in effect between local and systemic leaves was also found by Prado and Tjallingii (2007) for B. brassicae on local and systemic pre-infested leaves of broccoli.…”

Aphid-plant interactions: a review

“…For example, on citrus leaves, it is common to find colonies of Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe), A. spiraecola, M. euphorbiae, A. gossypii living without any manifest interference. Conversely, it has been demonstrated that previous infestation by both heterospecific and co-specific aphids enhances food acceptance by M. persicae on potato, but only at the feeding site and not systemically (Dugravot et al 2007). …”

Experimental evidence for competitive exclusion of Myzus persicae nicotianae by Myzus persicae s.s. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on sweet pepper, Capsicum annuum (Solanaceae)

“…The numerical effect seems to be the only factor affecting the success of M. persicae s.s., which was able to survive and grow similarly on previously infested plants from which the individuals of M. p. nicotianae were removed and control plants. Although the identity of the species that first infests a host plant is important in determining the outcome of a competitive interaction (Dugravot et al, 2007), and an asymmetry in indirect competitive interactions in phytophagous insects is to be expected (Kaplan & Denno, 2007), further experiments are necessary to determine the process underlying the asymmetry of the interaction between M. persicae s.s. and M. p. nicotianae and the factors that affect it.…”