Precipitation change accentuates or reverses temperature effects on aphid dispersal

Global temperatures are generally increasing, and this is leading to a well documented advancement and extension of seasonal activity of many pest insects. Effects of changing precipitation have received less attention, but might be complex because rain and snow are increasing in some places but decreasing in others. This raises the possibility that altered precipitation could accentuate, or even reverse, the effects of rising temperatures on pest outbreaks. We used >592 K aphid suction-trap captures over 15 years, in the heavily farmed central USA, to examine how the activity of Aphis glycines (soybean aphid), Rhopalosiphum maidis (corn aphid), and Rhopalosiphum padi (bird cherry-oat aphid) changed with variation in both temperature and precipitation. Increasing precipitation caused late-season flight activity of A. glycines and early-season activity of R. padi to shift earlier, while increasing temperature did the same for early-season activity of A. glycines and R. maidis. In these cases, precipitation and temperature exhibited directionally similar, but independent, effects. However, precipitation sometimes mediated temperature effects in complex ways. At relatively low temperatures, greater precipitation generally caused late-season flights of R. maidis to occur earlier. However, this pattern was reversed at higher temperatures with precipitation delaying late-season activity. In contrast, greater precipitation delayed peak flights of R. padi at lower temperatures, but caused them to occur earlier at higher temperatures. So, in these two cases the interactive effects of precipitation on temperature were mirror images of one another. When projecting future aphid flight phenology, models that excluded precipitation covariates consistently underpredicted the degree of phenological advance for A. glycines and R. padi, and underpredicted the degree of phenological delay for R. maidis under expected future climates. Overall, we found broad evidence that changing patterns of aphid flight phenology could only be understood by considering both temperature and precipitation changes. In our study region, temperature and precipitation are expected to increase in tandem, but these correlations will be reversed elsewhere. This reinforces the need to include both main and interactive effects of precipitation and temperature when seeking to accurately predict how pest pressure will change with a changing climate.

Complex life histories predispose aphids to recent abundance declines

Many animals change feeding habits as they progress through life stages, exploiting resources that vary in space and time. However, complex life histories may bring new risks if rapid environmental change disrupts the timing of these switches. Here, we use abundance times series for a diverse group of herbivorous insects, aphids, to search for trait and environmental characteristics associated with declines. Our meta dataset spanned three world regions and >300 aphid species, tracked at 75 individual sites for 10-50 years. Abundances were generally falling, with median changes of -8.3%, -5.6%, and -0.1% per year in the central USA, northwestern USA, and United Kingdom, respectively. Aphids that obligately alternated between host plants annually and those that were agricultural pests exhibited the steepest declines, relative to species able to persist on the same host plant year-round or those in natural areas. This suggests that host alternation might expose aphids to climate-induced phenology mismatches with one or more of their host plant species, with additional risks from exposure to insecticides and other management efforts. Warming temperatures through time were associated with milder aphid declines or even abundance increases, particularly at higher latitudes. Altogether, while a warming world appeared to benefit some aphid species in some places, most aphid species that had time-sensitive movements among multiple host plants seemed to face greater risk of decline. More generally, this suggests that recent human-induced rapid environmental change is rebalancing the risks and rewards associated with complex life histories.

Soybean aphid biotype 1 genome: Insights into the invasive biology and adaptive evolution of a major agricultural pest

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a serious pest of the soybean plant, Glycine max, a major world-wide agricultural crop. We assembled a de novo genome sequence of Ap. glycines Biotype 1, from a culture established shortly after this species invaded North America. 20.4% of the Ap. glycines proteome is duplicated. These in-paralogs are enriched with Gene Ontology (GO) categories mostly related to apoptosis, a possible adaptation to plant chemistry and other environmental stressors. Approximately one-third of these genes show parallel duplication in other aphids. But Ap. gossypii, its closest related species, has the lowest number of these duplicated genes. An Illumina GoldenGate assay of 2380 SNPs was used to determine the world-wide population structure of Ap. Glycines. China and South Korean aphids are the closest to those in North America. China is the likely origin of other Asian aphid populations. The most distantly related aphids to those in North America are from Australia. The diversity of Ap. glycines in North America has decreased over time since its arrival. The genetic diversity of Ap. glycines North American population sampled shortly after its first detection in 2001 up to 2012 does not appear to correlate with geography. However, aphids collected on soybean Rag experimental varieties in Minnesota (MN), Iowa (IA), and Wisconsin (WI), closer to high density Rhamnus cathartica stands, appear to have higher capacity to colonize resistant soybean plants than aphids sampled in Ohio (OH), North Dakota (ND), and South Dakota (SD). Samples from the former states have SNP alleles with high F_ST values and frequencies, that overlap with genes involved in iron metabolism, a crucial metabolic pathway that may be affected by the Rag-associated soybean plant response. The Ap. glycines Biotype 1 genome will provide needed information for future analyses of mechanisms of aphid virulence and pesticide resistance as well as facilitate comparative analyses between aphids with differing natural history and host plant range.

Factors Affecting Population Dynamics of Thrips Vectors of Soybean vein necrosis virus

Thrips-infesting soybeans were considered of minor economic importance, but recent evidence of their ability to transmit a newly identified soybean virus, Soybean vein necrosis virus (SVNV), has raised their profile as pests. Season-long surveys were conducted using suction traps to determine the effects of temperature and precipitation on the spatiotemporal patterns of three vector species of SVNV, Neohydatothrips variabilis (Beach) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) (soybean thrips), Frankliniella tritici (Fitch) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) (eastern flower thrips), and Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) (tobacco thrips) in soybean fields in Indiana in 2013 and 2014. In addition, soybean fields were surveyed for presence of SVNV in both years. We found that the magnitude and timing of thrips activity varied greatly for the three species. N. variabilis activity peaked in mid-August each year. The peak activity for F. tritici occurred between late-June, and a second peak in activity was observed in early-August, while F. fusca activity remained more or less the same with no peak. There was no gradient in thrips populations from southern to northern locations. This suggests that these insects are not migratory and may overwinter in soil or perennial noncrop host plants and other weed hosts in Indiana. The capture rates of N. variabilis and F. tritici were only related to temperature, and capture rates of F. fusca were not related to either variable. SVNV was first detected in mid-late August, which coincided with the peak of the primary vector, N. variabilis. The virus was not detected earlier in the season despite peaks in F. tritici activity. Our results may be used in weather-based models to predict both thrips dynamics as well as SVNV outbreaks.

Variable Isotopic Compositions of Host Plant Populations Preclude Assessment of Aphid Overwintering Sites

Soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura) is a pest of soybean in the northern Midwest whose migratory patterns have been difficult to quantify. Improved knowledge of soybean aphid overwintering sites could facilitate the development of control efforts with exponential impacts on aphid densities on a regional scale. In this preliminary study, we explored the utility of variation in stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen to distinguish soybean aphid overwintering origins. We compared variation in bulk 13C and 15N content in buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.) and soybean aphids in Wisconsin, among known overwintering locations in the northern Midwest. Specifically, we looked for associations between buckthorn and environmental variables that could aid in identifying overwintering habitats. We detected significant evidence of correlation between the bulk 13C and 15N signals of soybean aphids and buckthorn, despite high variability in stable isotope composition within and among buckthorn plants. Further, the 15N signal in buckthorn varied predictably with soil composition. However, lack of sufficient differentiation of geographic areas along axes of isotopic and environmental variation appears to preclude the use of carbon and nitrogen isotopic signals as effective predictors of likely aphid overwintering sites. These preliminary data suggest the need for future work that can further account for variability in 13C and 15N within/among buckthorn plants, and that explores the utility of other stable isotopes in assessing likely aphid overwintering sites.

Soybean aphid intrabiotype variability based on colonization of specific soybean genotypes

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the most destructive insect pests on soybeans in the United States. One method for managing this pest is through host plant resistance. Since its arrival in 2000, 4 aphid biotypes have been identified that are able to overcome soybean aphid resistance (Rag) genes. A soybean aphid isolate collected from Moline, Illinois readily colonized soybean plants with the soybean aphid resistance gene Rag2, unlike biotypes 1 and 2, but similar to soybean aphid biotype 3. Two no-choice experiments compared the virulence of the Moline isolate with biotype 3. In both experiments, differences in aphid population counts were not significant (P > 0.05) on soybean genotypes LD08-12957a (Rag2) and LD11-5413a (Rag2), but the aphid counts for the Moline isolate were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the aphid counts for the biotype 3 isolate on the soybean genotypes Dowling (Rag1), LD05-16611 (Rag1), LD11-4576a (Rag1), and PI 567598B (rag1b and rag3). The Moline isolate was a variant of aphid biotype 3, which is the first report showing that soybean aphid isolates classified as the same biotype, based on virulence against specific Rag genes, can differ in aggressiveness or ability to colonize specific host genotypes.

Molecular and morphological differentiation between Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera, Aphididae) and related species, with particular reference to the North American Midwest

The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, is one of the most biologically diverse species of aphids; a polyphagous species in a family where most are host specialists. It is economically important and belongs to a group of closely related species that has challenged aphid taxonomy. The research presented here seeks to clarify the taxonomic relationships and status of species within the Aphid gossypii group in the North American Midwest. Sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (COI), nuclear elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α), and nuclear sodium channel para-type (SCP) genes were used to differentiate between Aphid gossypii and related species. Aphis monardae, previously synonymised with Aphid gossypii, is re-established as a valid species. Phylogenetic analyses support the close relationship of members of the Aphid gossypii group native to North America (Aphid forbesi, Aphid monardae, Aphid oestlundi, Aphid rubifolii, and Aphid rubicola), Europe (Aphid nasturtii, Aphid urticata and Aphid sedi), and Asia (Aphid agrimoniae, Aphid clerodendri, Aphid glycines, Aphid gossypii, Aphid hypericiphaga, Aphid ichigicola, Aphid ichigo, Aphid sanguisorbicola, Aphid sumire and Aphid taraxicicola). The North American species most closely related to Aphid gossypii are Aphid monardae and Aphid oestlundi. The cosmopolitan Aphid gossypii and Aphid sedi identified in the USA are genetically very similar using COI and EF1-α sequences, but the SCP gene shows greater genetic distance between them. We present a discussion of the biological and morphological differentiation of these species.

Aphis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) species groups found in the Midwestern United States and their contribution to the phylogenetic knowledge of the genus

A phylogeny of the genus Aphis Linnaeus, 1 758 was built primarily from specimens collected in the Midwest of the United States. A data matrix was constructed with 68 species and 41 morphological characters with respective character states of alate and apterous viviparous females. Dendrogram topologies of analyses performed using UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean), Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian analysis of Cytochrome Oxidase I, Elongation Factor 1-α and primary endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola 16S sequences were not congruent. Bayesian analysis strongly supported most terminal nodes of the phylogenetic trees. The phylogeny was strongly supported by EF1-α, and analysis of COI and EF1-α molecular data combined with morphological characters. It was not supported by single analysis of COI or Buchnera aphidicola 16S. Results from the Bayesian phylogeny show 4 main species groups: asclepiadis, fabae, gossypii, and middletonii. Results place Aphis and species of the genera Protaphis Börner, 1952, Toxoptera Koch, and Xerobion Nevsky, 1928 in a monophyletic clade. Morphological characters support this monophyly as well. The phylogeny shows that the monophyletic clade of the North American middletonii species group belong to the genus Protaphis: P. debilicornis (Gillette & Palmer, 1929), comb. nov., P. echinaceae (Lagos and Voegtlin, 2009), comb. nov., and P. middletonii (Thomas, 1879). The genus Toxoptera should be considered a subgenus of Aphis (stat. nov.). The analysis also indicates that the current genus Iowana Frison, 1954 should be considered a subgenus of Aphis (stat. nov.).

A new soybean aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) biotype identified

Shortly after its arrival, the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), became established as the most important insect pest of soybean, Glycine max L. (Merr.), in the northern part of the North American soybean production region. Soybean resistance is an environmentally sustainable method to manage the pest and new soybean aphid resistant cultivars are beginning to be deployed into production. However, an earlier study identifying a soybean aphid biotype that could colonize plants with the Rag1 resistance gene has raised concerns about the durability of soybean aphid resistance genes. Choice and nonchoice tests conducted in this study characterized the colonization of a soybean aphid isolate, collected from the overwintering host Frangula alnus P. Mill in Springfield Fen, IN, on different aphid resistant soybean genotypes. This isolate readily colonized plants with the Rag2 resistance gene, distinguishing it from the two biotypes previously characterized and indicating that it represented a new biotype named biotype 3. The identification of soybean aphid biotypes that can overcome Rag1 and Rag2 resistance, even before soybean cultivars with the resistance genes have been deployed in production, suggests that there is high variability in virulence within soybean aphid populations present in North America. Such variability in virulence gives the pest a high potential to adapt to and reduce the effective life of resistance genes deployed in production. The search for new soybean aphid resistance genes must, therefore, continue, along with the development of alternative sustainable strategies to manage the pest.

Is there a cryptic species within Aulacorthum solani (Hemiptera: Aphididae)?

Examination of DNA sequences of the 5' end of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene of Aulacorthum solani (Kaltenbach) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) reveals little variation between samples from broad geographic provenances. The apparent genetic similarity despite A. solani's morphological and biological differences contrasts with the species complexes of other aphid pests.

Forecasting seasonal population growth of Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in soybean in Illinois

From 2001 to 2004, 252 fifty-plant samples were collected from commercial soybean, Glycine max L., fields in three townships (93-km2 area) in Illinois. Townships were sampled every 3 wk from late June or early July when aphids (Aphis glycines Matsumura) first invaded the townships to early August. We used linear regression of 18 mean township field densities to calibrate several simple models to predict the change in aphid population density in a township from one sampling date to the next. The best exponential model for the complete data set has an r2 = 0.54, Y2 = Ylexp (0.09659 x DAY), where Y1 and Y2 are the first and second samples of aphids separated by a 3-wk period (the number of days, DAY). Our intrinsic rate of increase for the population is much lower than rates calculated in other studies. The best single-variable linear model has an r2 = 0.88, Y2 = Y1 + 0.1084 x Y1 x DAY. The latter model indicates the value of including monitoring data in the prediction. The best two-variable model has an R2 = 0.98, Y2 = Y1 + 0.08136 x Y1 x DAY + 0.000080 x N1(2) x DAY, where N1(2) x DAY is the interaction term for initial, squared, sample density of the season multiplied by the number of days between samples. The latter two models indicate that the change in the population density is greater for more dense populations. Degree-days were generally inferior to days as the time component in the simple models.

Speciation by host-switching in pinyon Cinara (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Parasite-host cospeciation has received much attention as an important mechanism in the diversification of phytophagous insects. However, studies have shown that for certain taxa, it is not host fidelity but host-switching that plays the critical role in speciation. Cinara are aphids (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphididae: Lachninae) that feed exclusively on the woody parts of conifers of the Cupressaceae and Pinaceae. They are unusual aphids because most Pinaceae play host to several species of Cinara. The aphids show relatively strong host fidelity, and as a consequence historically have been treated based on the taxonomy of their hosts. The historical paradigm of aphid evolution implies that Cinara species have radiated to different parts of the same host species and/or speciated with their host. Using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 and nuclear elongation factor 1-alpha DNA sequences, we performed molecular phylogenetic analysis of Cinara species, concentrating on those associated with pinyon pines in the southwestern USA. We determined that switching hosts has played a key role in the speciation of the genus, reflected in the polyphyly of pinyon-feeding Cinara. Furthermore, species sharing a common feeding site on different hosts were more closely related to each other than to those sharing the same host but at different feeding sites, suggesting that feeding site fidelity plays a more important role in speciation than does host fidelity in general. This study also elucidated the primary taxonomy of various species: it suggested that Cinara rustica Hottes is a junior synonym of C. edulis (Wilson) and that C. wahtolca Hottes represents two species on the two different pinyon pine species, Pinus edulis Englem. and P. monophylla Torr. & Frem.

Solanaceous Weeds as Possible Sources of Cucumber mosaic virus in Southern Illinois for Aphid Transmission to Pepper

Over 5,000 individual plants representing approximately 55 species from an area in southern Illinois where Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) has been a major problem in pepper (Capsicum annuum) were tested for the presence of CMV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Representative ELISA-positive samples were checked by western blot tests to confirm virus-specific reactions. Nearly all of the infected plants detected were either Solanum ptycanthum (eastern black nightshade) or Physalis spp. (principally P. heterophylla, groundcherry). Over 1,000 pepper transplants and approximately 500 tomato transplants, collected prior to planting, were negative for CMV by ELISA. In aphid transmission (arena) experiments, all five aphid species tested were capable of transmitting CMV from nightshade to pepper: Aphis fabae subsp. solanella, Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum padi, and Sitobion avenae. Aphis fabae subsp. solanella, A. gossypii, and A. nerii were able to transmit CMV from P. heterophylla to pepper. Aphis fabae subsp. solanella was commonly found colonizing nightshade from May through October in southern Illinois.

The tryptophan biosynthetic pathway of aphid endosymbionts (Buchnera): genetics and evolution of plasmid-associated anthranilate synthase (trpEG) within the aphididae

The bacterial endosymbionts (Buchnera) from the aphids Rhopalosiphum padi, R. maidis, Schizaphis graminum, and Acyrthosiphon pisum contain the genes for anthranilate synthase (trpEG) on plasmids made up of one or more 3.6-kb units. Anthranilate synthase is the first as well as the rate-limiting enzyme in the tryptophan biosynthetic pathway. The amplification of trpEG on plasmids may result in an increase of enzyme protein and overproduction of this essential amino acid, which is required by the aphid host. The nucleotide sequence of trpEG from endosymbionts of different species of aphids is highly conserved, as is an approximately 500-bp upstream DNA segment which has the characteristics of an origin of replication. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using trpE and trpG from the endosymbionts of these four aphids as well as from the endosymbiont of Schlechtendalia chinensis, in which trpEG occurs on the chromosome. The resulting phylogeny was congruent with trees derived from sequences of two chromosome-located bacterial genes (part of trpB and 16S ribosomal DNA). In turn, trees obtained from plasmid-borne and bacterial chromosome-borne sequences were congruent with the tree resulting from phylogenetic analysis of three aphid mitochondrial regions (portions of the small and large ribosomal DNA subunits, as well as cytochrome oxidase II). Congruence of trees based on genes from host mitochondria and from bacteria adds to previous support for exclusively vertical transmission of the endosymbionts within aphid lineages. Congruence with trees based on plasmid-borne genes supports the origin of the plasmid-borne trpEG from the chromosomal genes of the same lineage and the absence of subsequent plasmid exchange among endosymbionts of different species of aphids.

Detection of Buchnera, the primary prokaryotic endosymbiont of aphids, using the polymerase chain reaction

Members of the genus Buchnera constitute a distinct prokaryotic lineage containing the primary endosymbionts of aphids (Homoptera: Aphidoidea). Using synthetic oligonucleotides in conjunction with the polymerase chain reaction, we propose three approaches for the identification of members of this genus. The first is based on unique sequences within rrs (gene coding for 16S ribosomal RNA). The second is based on a different and unique organization of the ribosomal RNA operons of Buchnera and the close proximity of aroE upstream of rrl (gene coding for 23S rRNA). The third is based on the linkage relationship of argS which is upstream of rrs. Validation of these three approaches requires their more extensive application.

Evidence for the establishment of aphid-eubacterium endosymbiosis in an ancestor of four aphid families

Aphids (superfamily Aphidoidea) contain eubacterial endosymbionts localized within specialized cells (mycetocytes). The endosymbionts are essential for the survival of the aphid hosts. Sequence analyses of the 16S rRNAs from endosymbionts of 11 aphid species from seven tribes and four families have indicated that the endosymbionts are monophyletic. Furthermore, phylogenetic relationships within the symbiont clade parallel the relationships of the corresponding aphid hosts. Our findings suggest that this endocytobiotic association was established in a common ancestor of the four aphid families with subsequent diversification into the present species of aphids and their endosymbionts.