| Title: | "Do asexual morphs of the peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae, utilise the aphid sex pheromone? Behavioural and electrophysiological responses of M. persicae virginoparae to (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone and its effect on aphid performance" |
| Author(s): | Fernandez-Grandon GM; Woodcock CM; Poppy GM; |
| Address: | "School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK. mandelagrandon@yahoo.co.uk" |
| DOI: | 10.1017/S0007485313000126 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1475-2670 (Electronic) 0007-4853 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "The aphid sex pheromone component (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone is considered to be a potential tool for enhancing biological control of aphids. Studies have confirmed its potential to attract parasitoids, increase parasitism rates in the field and also alter the spatial distribution of parasitoids. An important aspect that has been overlooked is the impact that the introduction of nepetalactone may have on aphid populations already present in field or glasshouse environments. The most prevalent pest aphid populations in glasshouse and field environments are the asexual morphs, which are capable of exponential growth if populations are not controlled. The short-term implications of the sex pheromone on asexual aphids were observed through their behavioural response. Using Y-tube olfactometry, it is shown that virginoparae of the peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae, are repelled by high concentrations of nepetalactone. Long-term effects of the pheromone which may span the aphid's life, or even generations, were assessed via mean relative growth rate (MRGR) and the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm). Electroantennography also demonstrated that asexual female aphids are able to detect aphid sex pheromone components. To our knowledge, this is the first time it has been reported that M. persicae virginoparae are able to detect aphid sex pheromone components or that their behavioural response and/or performance has been studied. The implications of these results and their significance in understanding semiochemical communication are discussed" |
| Keywords: | "Analysis of Variance Animals Aphids/*drug effects/*physiology Arthropod Antennae/drug effects Chemotaxis/*drug effects/physiology Cyclopentane Monoterpenes Cyclopentanes/*pharmacology Female Olfactometry Pest Control, Biological/*methods Population Dynami;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineFernandez-Grandon, G Mandela Woodcock, Christine M Poppy, Guy M eng Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2013/03/14 Bull Entomol Res. 2013 Aug; 103(4):466-72. doi: 10.1017/S0007485313000126. Epub 2013 Mar 13" |
