Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2006) 121, 51-57

Masami Takemura, Yasumasa Kuwahara and Ritsuo Nishida (2006)
Feeding responses of an oligophagous bean aphid, Megoura crassicauda, to primary and secondary substances in Vicia angustifolia
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 121 (1), 51-57
Abstract: The feeding behaviour of the aphid Megoura crassicauda Mordivilko (Homoptera: Aphididae), which feeds selectively on plants in the genus Vicia (Fabaceae), was studied. The aphids deposited proteinaceous stylet sheaths intercellularly towards the phloem tissues of host plants. Similar stylet sheaths were formed on a Parafilm membrane when host-specific acylated flavonoid glycosides [two 2"-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl esters of quercetin 3-O-diglycosides] present in the extracts of the narrow vetch, Vicia angustifolia L., were supplied in the solution covered by the membrane. In contrast, their corresponding deacyl analogues, present more abundantly in the host plant tissues, were not stimulatory, which suggested specificity in the structural requirements of the probing stimulants. While the aphids imbibed an artificial diet composed of primary nutrients (e.g., sucrose and amino acids) and produced a large quantity of honeydew, acylated flavonoids alone and non-acylated flavonoids supplied with the nutrients more or less suppressed honeydew production. These findings implied that the acylated flavonoids serve as a cue to navigate the stylet sheath towards the phloem prior to sap-sucking, whereas non-acylated flavonoids may serve as a negative stimulus to refrain from sucking during tissue penetration before tapping the phloem, although the distribution of these compounds in the plant tissues remains unknown. Thus, the feeding behaviour of M. crassicauda appears to be controlled by multiple chemical stimuli in the process of the settling on its host plant.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Ritsuo Nishida, Yasumasa Kuwahara

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Vicia sativa (weed)
Megoura crassicauda (weed bioagent)	Vicia sativa (weed)