Acta Entomologica Sinica (2009) 52, 617-623

Arnaud Ameline, Aude Couty, Maria Martoub and Philippe Giordanengo (2009)
Effects of mineral oil application on the orientation and feeding behaviour of Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Homoptera : Aphidae)
Acta Entomologica Sinica 52 (6), 617-623
Abstract: Application of mineral oil both in the fields and in the laboratory has been shown to efficiently reduce the transmission of non-persistent phytoviruses by aphids. In this study we investigated the influence a mineral oil spray on potato plants has on the behaviour of Macrosiphum euphorbiae, 24 h and 7 d after treatment. The aphid response towards oil treated plant volatiles was investigated using a darkened arena bioassay. The effect of oil treatment on aphid trophic behaviour was assessed using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique. Mineral oil treatment induced a lack of attractiveness of the host-plant, which lasted at least 24 h. The feeding behaviour of M. euphorbiae was modified on oil treated potato plants 24 h and 7 d after treatment. 'Time from start of recording to first probe' was reduced but only significantly at 7 d after treatment, suggesting the facilitation of aphid stylet insertion. However, salivations phases and phloem sap feeding (ingestion phases) were significantly delayed. The modifications of aphid behaviour observed in this study are not drastic enough to explain the 7 d protection observed in mineral oil sprayed fields and other potential mechanisms may exist.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Arnaud Ameline, Philippe Giordanengo, Aude Couty

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Macrosiphum euphorbiae	Potato (Solanum tuberosum)