Title:Effects of Host Plants on the Growth, Reproduction, and Defense in Pea Aphids, Acyrthosiphon Pisum
Volume: 1
Issue: 6
Author(s): Martin John Martin, Zuqing Hu and Zhiqiang Lu*
Affiliation:
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100,China
Keywords:
Acyrthosiphon pisum, host plant, Medicago sativa, Vicia faba, growth, reproduction, defense.
Abstract:
Background: Pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) possess a weak immune system, but
they can firmly mount immunological responses. However, the influence of different plants on
their defense against different microbes remains largely unknown. In addition, no previous research
has integrated the growth, reproduction, and defense responses of pea aphids feeding on
different plants.
Objective: This study aims to investigate the growth, reproduction, and defense responses of pea
aphids feeding on different plants.
Methods: Pea aphids were cultivated on both Medicago sativa and Vicia faba. Growth and reproduction
were evaluated. Additionally, we monitored the survival and microbial loads of pea
aphids after bacterial and fungal infections.
Results: Pea aphids reared on M. sativa had lower growth, lower intrinsic rate of increase, and
lower finite rate of increase when compared to aphids feeding on V. faba. The net reproduction
was lower in aphids feeding on M. sativa, although the difference was not significant. The mean
time of generation and pre-reproductive periods was longer for aphids reared on M. sativa than for
aphids reared on V. faba. In the infection experiments, we found that aphid survival was not affected
by the host plant. However, aphids reared on M. sativa generally harbored fewer microbial
loads than those reared on V. faba.
Conclusions: The growth and reproduction of pea aphids are affected by the host plant. Aphids
feeding on different plants had different tolerances to microbial infections. Our study sheds light
on improving biological control program for aphids.
