Involvement of chemosensory proteins in host plant searching in the bird cherry ‐oat aphid

In this study, we present evidence for the involvement of chemosensory proteins in host plants searching of Rhopalosiphum padi. Knockdown of CSP4, CSP5 or CSP6 can significantly affect host ‐location behavior of the aphid. Host plant volatiles (octanal, [E] ‐2‐hexenol, and linalool) have significant attraction to winged adults of the species; knockdown of CSP4 or CSP5 can significantly decrease the attraction of octanal to winged adults. AbstractChemosensory systems are considered to play an important role in host plant selection in herbivorous insects. However, few studies have focused on chemosensory proteins (CSPs) for aphid host ‐location mechanisms. The roles of CSPs in searching for different Poaceae species (wheat, barley, triticale, maize and sorghum) were tested inRhopalosiphum padi, an important cereal pest. The olfactometer assays showed thatR. padi responds to plant odors. SevenR. padi CSP genes were identified. Influence of aphid morph, tissue and starvation state on expression patterns ofCSPs was evaluated. Expression levels ofCSP1,CSP4,CSP5 andCSP6 in winged aphids were significantly higher than those in wingless ones. Transcription levels of four genes (CSP1,CSP4,CSP5 andCSP6) were relatively higher in the head with antennae, and the four genes tended to be upregulated following starvation. Silencing of threeCSPs (CSP4,CSP5 andCSP6) altered aphid host ‐location behavior in response to the five different host plants tested. Three volatile compounds of...

Source: Insect Science - August 24, 2020 Category: Biology Authors: Xiong Peng, Lang Liu, Yi ‐Xiao Huang, Su‐Ji Wang, De‐Xian Li, Shu‐Ting Chen, Jean‐Christophe Simon, Ming‐Jing Qu, Mao‐Hua Chen Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research