Behavioral sensitivity of M yzus persicae to volatile isoprenoids in plant tissues

• Published in: Entomologia experimentalis et applicata 2016-09, Vol.160 (3), p.229-240
• Main Authors: Dancewicz, Katarzyna, Sznajder, Katarzyna, Załuski, Dariusz, Kordan, Bożena, Gabryś, Beata
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0013-8703; 1570-7458
• DOI: 10.1111/eea.12480

Volatile isoprenoids ( VIP s) are low‐molecular isoprene‐derived compounds that are produced and emitted by plants as a protection against and in response to various biotic and abiotic stresses. They also participate in direct and indirect plant defense against herbivores. Foliar VIP s may accumulate in mesophyll cells, which makes them detectable for foraging aphids. In this study, probing behavior of the peach potato aphid, M yzus persicae ( S ulzer) ( H emiptera: A phididae), was monitored using the electrical penetration graph ( EPG ) technique, following the exogenous application of camphene, α‐ and β‐ionones, and linalool to its host plant B rassica rapa subsp. pekinensis ( L our.) H anelt ( B rassicaceae). None of the VIP s studied affected M . persicae propensity to probe: aphids spent at least 75% of the experimental time penetrating plant tissues. The application of α‐ionone and linalool did not alter M . persicae behavior relative to control individuals. In contrast, on camphene‐ and β‐ionone‐treated plants, the proportion of non‐probing relative to other stylet activities was high, the success rate in reaching sieve elements and feeding was low, and the proportion of salivation in phloem phase was high. The aphid reluctance to continue probing and feeding due to the exogenously applied VIP s may be considered as means for the limitation of transmission of semi‐persistent and persistent viruses.