Mayetiola destructor (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) host preference and survival on small grains with respect to leaf reflectance and phytohormone concentrations

Abstract

The Hessian fly Mayetiola destructor (Diptera: Cecidmyiidae) is a major pest of wheat, globally. We conducted a series of laboratory choice and no-choice assays to quantify Hessian fly host preference for barley (cv. Champion), oat (cv. Cayuse), susceptible (cv. Alturas), and resistant (cv. Hollis) wheat. In addition, larval survivorship and adult emergence were compared among the evaluated host plants. We then examined whether insect preference for a host can be explained by differences in plant spectral reflectance. Further, larval survivorship and adult emergence were compared among host plants in relation to phytohormone concentrations. Hessian flies laid more eggs on wheat compared to either oat or barley. Spectral reflectance measurements of leaves were similar between susceptible and resistant wheat cultivars but different from those of barley and oat. Our results suggested that higher reflectance in the near-infrared range and lower reflectance in the visible range may be used by females for host selection. Hessian fly larvae were unable to develop into the pupal stage on resistant wheat and oat. No significant difference in larval survivorship was detected between the susceptible wheat and barley. However, adult emergence was significantly higher on barley than the susceptible wheat. Phytohormonal evaluations revealed that salicylic acid (SA) may be an important contributor to plant defense response to larval feeding as relatively higher concentrations of SA were present in oat and resistant wheat. While resistance in the resistant wheat is achieved only through antibiosis, both antibiosis and antixenosis were in effect rendering oat as a non-host for Hessian flies.

Forming post-COVID supply chains: does supply chain managers' social network affect resilience?

“…Post-COVID supply chains about a decision problem may be held by other individuals (McFadyen and Cannella, 2004), so interacting with these individuals and seeking their advice can help managers gain knowledge that enhances the quality and speed of decisions (Yaniv, 2004;Sadeghi et al, 2021). The network of advisers comprises individuals with whom the manager has personal ties (Nebus, 2006), and advisers beyond that network are only reached out to in exceptional cases (Levin et al, 2011).…”

“…, 2020). Knowledge about a decision problem may be held by other individuals (McFadyen and Cannella, 2004), so interacting with these individuals and seeking their advice can help managers gain knowledge that enhances the quality and speed of decisions (Yaniv, 2004; Sadeghi et al. , 2021).…”

Comparison of Agro-Phenological and Technological Traits in Advanced Durum Wheat Lines Differing in Reaction to Hessian Fly Infestation

“…In Morocco, this insect causes an average yield loss of 32% on durum wheat during dry years, and at worst, it may destroy entire crops, leading to a total loss of crop yield [9]. Antibiosis is the most desirable form of resistance in the case of host plant resistance to the Hessian fly, as it is controlled by a gene-for-gene relationship [10][11][12]. Damage to susceptible wheat caused by larval feeding manifests as a darker, almost blue-green foliage color, stunted growth, lodging, stem breakage, and either low seed production or a failure to produce seeds [10].…”