Responses of holocyclic and anholocyclic Rhopalosiphum padi populations to low‐temperature and short‐photoperiod induction

Abstract

The different life cycles of aphid species make these organisms good models for studying the short‐term consequences of sex. The bird cherry‐oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi has a wide geographic distribution and correspondingly different life cycles. In this study, the life cycles of R. padi collected from six different regions in China were characterized experimentally by comparing the responses of holocyclic and anholocyclic populations to low‐temperature and short‐photoperiod induction. Clones collected from Chuzhou, Taian, and Taigu consistently reproduced via obligate parthenogenesis, whereas clones from Hami and Baicheng were holocyclic in their response, and those from Lanzhou were both holocyclic and anholocyclic. Prolonged exposure to low temperature and a short photoperiod (LS) had negative effects on the offspring of anholocyclic aphids with regard to adult lifespan, total longevity, and fecundity compared with aphids maintained at a normal temperature and a long photoperiod (NL). Holocyclic LS R. padi had longer developmental times at all nymph stages, a shorter adult lifespan, shorter total longevity, and a lower fecundity than NL counterparts. The adult prereproduction period of gynoparae was significantly longer than that of virginoparae, and the total longevity of gynoparae was significantly shorter than that of virginoparae. Moreover, the net reproductive and gross reproduction rates, as well as the total fecundity, were roughly fivefold higher in virginoparae than in gynoparae, indicating that there is the short‐term cost of sex. When maintained on their secondary host (Triticum aestivum), gynoparae, males, and oviparae produced by holocyclic populations could survive, and gynoparae produced oviparae. However, under NL conditions, oviparae could not produce overwintering eggs on the secondary host, whereas a few overwintering eggs were generated by oviparae under LS conditions. Taken together, these results illuminate the complexity of insect responses and contribute to a complete understanding of the aphid life cycle and its evolution.

Effects of variable maternal temperature on offspring development and reproduction of Rhopalosiphum padi, a serious global pest of wheat

“…Moreover, the intrinsic rate of increase of offspring produced by the maternal generation exposed to the HT treatment was significantly decreased compared with offspring from maternal generations exposed to MT and NT treatments. The intrinsic rate of increase, which is a commonly used metric in invertebrates, is a critical parameter for the survival and sustainability of a population (Peng et al ., ). Therefore, the situation in which the r m value of offspring can be influenced by both the maternal and offspring rearing temperatures should be taken into account when using a forecasting model to predict the population abundance and aphid outbreaks in an agricultural area.…”

“…Rhopalosiphum padi is an important pest that feeds on wheat by piercing and sucking, resulting in a significant reduction in wheat quality and yield; it also transmits the barley yellow dwarf virus, which seriously damages wheat (Chen et al, 2007;Duan et al, 2017;Peng et al, 2017). In this study, we systematically established a constant normal temperature, mild temperature variation and high temperature variation to investigate the effects of maternal variable-temperature treatments on the development duration, longevity and fecundity of R. padi.…”

Identification of Aphis coronillae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) clones with anholocyclic life cycle

“…Geographical variations of the relative frequency of different life cycles have been reported in some aphids such as Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Peng et al . 2016) and Sitobion avenae F. (Dedryver et al . 2001).…”

“…Considering the origin of A. coronillae in northern Europe (Ferrari 1872), these observations suggest that A. coronillae has been expanding its distribution in the low-latitude direction. Geographical variations of the relative frequency of different life cycles have been reported in some aphids such as Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Peng et al 2016) and Sitobion avenae F. (Dedryver et al 2001). Our survey conducted for this study was done only at a single location (Utsunomiya City).…”

Interaction between the Bird Cherry-Oat Aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) and Stagonospora Nodorum Blotch (Parastagonospora nodorum) on Wheat

“…Aphids damage cereals directly by sucking phloem sap, and indirectly by transmitting viruses and reducing photosynthesis by depositing honeydew that decrease photosynthesis, stimulate leaf senescence and growth of sooty mold [ 3 ]. Rhopalosiphum padi has a wide geographic distribution and correspondingly different life cycles [ 4 ]. Further it has an anholocyclic life cycle in cereals during the cropping season.…”