Phenotypic plasticity in host choice behavior in black bean aphid, Aphis fabae (Homoptera: Aphididae)

The study of phenotypic plasticity in host choice behavior is crucial to predict evolutionary patterns of insect–plant interactions. The presence of sufficient variation in plasticity may facilitate host race formation and sympatric speciation. In this study, 13 Aphis fabae Scopoli genotypes reared...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Arthropod-plant interactions 2007-09, Vol.1 (3), p.187-194
Main Authors: Gorur, G., Lomonaco, C., Mackenzie, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aphis fabae
Beans
Broad beans
Genetic variability
Genotypes
Host plants
Host selection
Insects
Phenotypic plasticity
Plastic properties
Plasticity
Speciation
Statistical analysis
Sympatric populations
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Summary:The study of phenotypic plasticity in host choice behavior is crucial to predict evolutionary patterns of insect–plant interactions. The presence of sufficient variation in plasticity may facilitate host race formation and sympatric speciation. In this study, 13 Aphis fabae Scopoli genotypes reared both on broad bean and nasturtium exhibited statistically significant genotypic variability in host selection behavior. Some genotypes displayed increase in preference and acceptance in a novel host plant through generations. There are also strong conditioning effects of nasturtium as nasturtium reared genotypes are more willing to choose nasturtium over broad bean while broad bean reared genotypes do not show differences in choosing between the two host plants. There are also positive relationships between fitness and host choice behavior particularly for nasturtium. Results of the study supported the hypothesis that phenotypic plasticity in host choice behavior may be one of the major determinants of the evolutionary trajectory of a parasitic species, such as aphids.
ISSN:1872-8855
1872-8847
DOI:10.1007/s11829-007-9017-0