Effects of systemic potato response to wounding and jasmonate on the aphid <i>Macrosiphum euphorbiae</i> (Sternorryncha: Aphididae)

Abstract

Abstract Plant induced responses are activated by multiple biotic and abiotic stresses, and may affect the interactions between a plant and phytophagous insects. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different stresses inflicted to potato plants ( Solanum tuberosum ) on the potato aphid ( Macrosiphum euphorbiae ). Abiotic wounding, biotic wounding by Leptinotarsa decemlineata and treatment with volatile methyl jasmonate (MeJA) were evaluated with regard to the orientation behaviour, the feeding behaviour and the development of the potato aphids. Dual‐choice olfactometry showed that plants treated with MeJA lost their attractiveness for the potato aphids, while both abiotic and biotic wounding did not alter the orientation of aphids. Electropenetrography revealed that the feeding behaviour of aphids was only slightly disturbed by a previous L. decemlineata wounding, while it was highly disturbed by mechanical wounding and MeJA treatment. Aphid nymph survival was reduced on mechanically wounded plants, the pre‐reproductive period was lengthened and the fecundity reduced on plants treated with MeJA. Our results bring new information about the effects of various stresses inflicted to S. tuberosum on M. euphorbiae . We showed that wounding and MeJA treatment induced an antixenosis resistance in potato plants against M. euphorbiae , which may influence aphid colonization processes.