New insight into the behaviour modifying activity of two natural sesquiterpenoids farnesol and nerolidol towards Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Abstract

The effect of structurally related sesquiterpenoids (E,E)-farnesol and cis-nerolidol on the host-plant selection behaviour of the peach potato aphid Myzus persicae (Sulz.) was evaluated using electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique. No repellent effects of (E,E)-farnesol and (Z)-nerolidol to M. persicae were found but aphid probing activities on (E,E)-farnesol- and cis-nerolidol-treated plants were restrained. During non-phloem phases of probing, neither (E,E)-farnesol nor (Z)-nerolidol affected the cell puncture activity. On (E,E)-farnesol-treated plants, the total duration of phloem phase, the mean duration of individual sustained ingestion periods were significantly lower, and the proportion of phloem salivation was higher than on control plants. On (Z)-nerolidol-treated plants, the occurrence of the first phloem phase was delayed, and the frequency of the phloem phase was lower than on control plants. The freely moving aphids were reluctant to remain on (E,E)-farnesol- and (Z)-nerolidol-treated leaves for at least 24 h after exposure. (E,E)-Farnesol and (Z)-nerolidol show complementary deterrent properties, (E,E)-farnesol showing ingestive and post-ingestive activities and nerolidol showing pre-ingestive, ingestive, and post-ingestive deterrent activities.

Repellent and Antifeedant Activities of Citral-Derived Lactones against the Peach Potato Aphid

“…Under natural conditions, the high proportion of salivation during the consumption of the phloem sap is typical for aphid behavior on unsuitable or non-host plants [51][52][53]. Similar effects on aphid behavior during the phloem phase were revealed when aphids were offered plants treated with natural and synthetic compounds, e.g., piperitone-derived lactones, cis-jasmone and its derivatives, β-thujone and its derivatives, or farnesol and nerolidol [32,[54][55][56]. The settling deterrent activities of β,γ-dimethyllactone (4) and α,γ-dimethylenelactone (7) were probably due to the post-ingestive inhibition.…”

Comparative transcriptome analysis between thrips-resistant and thrips-susceptible alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

“…However, the content and distribution of individual secondary metabolites vary greatly among plant genotypes [41]. Here, the important roles of zeatin, sesquiterpenoid [42] and triterpenoid [43], carotenoid and diterpenoid [44], monoterpenoid [45] and phenylpropanoid [46] were also highlighted by the existence of a large number of upregulated genes involved in the synthesis of these chemicals in Caoyuan No.4, which indicated that thrips defense in Caoyuan No.4 was related to the existence of certain secondary metabolites. It is well known that the interaction of plant-pathogen and plant-insects share some strategies.…”

“…Furthermore, 117 genes shared in both S_CK vs S_T group and S_CK vs R_CK group were mainly related to secondary metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, rust resistance kinase, WRKY transcription factor and nodule lectin. Thus, a majority of genes were probably associated with the plant induced defense to herbivorous insects [40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52]. In addition, the other 2087 DEGs only expressed in Caoyuan No.4 were mainly constitutive defensive genes, which are involved in energy metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism.…”

Effect of Naringenin and Its Derivatives on the Probing Behavior of Myzus persicae (Sulz.)

“…The EPG technique provides a unique opportunity to reveal aphid mouthparts stylets activities in plant tissues [ 41 , 42 , 43 ]. The parameters describing aphid behavior during probing and feeding, such as total time of probing, duration and frequency of sap ingestion periods, number of probes, etc., are good indicators of plant suitability or interference of probing by chemical or physical factors in individual plant tissues [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. 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.…”

“…), which may cause the withdrawal of the herbivore from the plant or other substrates, are searched for [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. The exogenous application of xenobiotics may alter aphid response to otherwise acceptable host plants, which has been shown in studies on aphid antifeedants involving different chemical groups, including terpenoids, quassinoids, flavonoids, and cyanogenic glycosides [ 9 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. At the same time, aphids may be attracted to other areas, such as trap crops or barrier crops, in ‘push–pull’ strategies [ 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”