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Insects
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Protecting Field Crops from Economically Damaging Aphid Infestation
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Protecting Field Crops from Economically Damaging Aphid Infestation

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Pest and Vector Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 3904

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xueke Gao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
Interests: pest control; natural enemy; parasitoids
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Jinjie Cui

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
Interests: pest control; physiology and biochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aphids represent one of the world's major insect pests and are a common pest to gardeners, commercial growers and greenhouses due to their wide species diversity and rapid reproductive cycle, which causes serious economic damage to a range of temperate and tropical crops. These range from grain crops and brassicas to potato, cotton, vegetable and fruit crops.  We aim to provide a definitive reference for the biology of aphids, their pest status, and how to control them. The contents covered range from insecticide resistance to chemical, cultural and biological control methods. Overall, this collection offers an exhaustive investigation of aphids and aims to improve our understanding of their characteristics and prevention methods. This collection will focus on, but is not limited to, the following themes:

Biology and ecology of aphids;
Aphid–plant interaction;
Resistance to pesticides;
Natural enemies;
Biological control

Dr. Xueke Gao
Prof. Dr. Jinjie Cui
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • aphids
  • biology
  • plants
  • natural enemies
  • prevention

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 1338 KiB  
Article
Effects of Confinement and Wheat Variety on the Performance of Two Aphid Species
by Maria Elisa D. A. Leandro, Joe M. Roberts, Ed T. Dickin and Tom W. Pope
Insects 2025, 16(5), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16050477 (registering DOI) - 1 May 2025
Abstract
Bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.; Hemiptera: Aphididae) and English grain aphid (Sitobion avenae Fabricius; Hemiptera: Aphididae) are economically important cereal crop pests and effective vectors of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). While these aphid species have traditionally been managed with [...] Read more.
Bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.; Hemiptera: Aphididae) and English grain aphid (Sitobion avenae Fabricius; Hemiptera: Aphididae) are economically important cereal crop pests and effective vectors of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). While these aphid species have traditionally been managed with synthetic chemical insecticides, their use is increasingly difficult due to target organism resistance and potential non-target effects. Exploiting genetic diversity among cereal varieties offers a more sustainable control strategy. In this study, we evaluated how an experimental confinement method using clip cages to restrict an aphid to a single leaf versus free movement on the host plant affects the performance (growth and reproduction) of these two aphid species on various wheat varieties. Aphid performance was significantly influenced by both confinement and wheat variety. Notably, the two aphid species responded in opposite ways to confinement, with S. avenae growing quicker and producing a greater number of offspring under clip cage confinement compared to R. padi, which performed better when left free on the plant. This contrast is likely explained by species-specific feeding site preferences and sensitivity to the microenvironment created by the clip cages. We also found significant differences in aphid performance among host plant varieties, with both aphid species achieving their lowest growth rates on “Wolverine”, a modern BYDV-resistant wheat cultivar. Although none of the tested varieties were completely resistant to aphids, our results indicate that existing commercial cultivars may already carry partial resistance traits that can be leveraged in integrated pest management programs to help suppress aphid populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protecting Field Crops from Economically Damaging Aphid Infestation)
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13 pages, 261 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Selected Plant Essential Oils for Aphid Pest Control in Integrated Pest Management
by José Luis Casas, María López Santos-Olmo, Aitor Sagarduy-Cabrera and Mᵃ Ángeles Marcos-García
Insects 2025, 16(4), 353; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16040353 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 378
Abstract
Aphids are major agricultural pests, feeding on plant sap and transmitting viruses to economically important crops. The use of synthetic pesticides is increasingly restricted due to stricter regulations aimed at protecting both human and environmental health. To address this challenge, we investigated the [...] Read more.
Aphids are major agricultural pests, feeding on plant sap and transmitting viruses to economically important crops. The use of synthetic pesticides is increasingly restricted due to stricter regulations aimed at protecting both human and environmental health. To address this challenge, we investigated the potential of essential oils (EOs) extracted from rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.), laurel (Laurus nobilis L.), and cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) as alternatives to synthetic insecticides, while ensuring compatibility with biological control strategies. The EOs were extracted via hydrodistillation, diluted in acetone, and tested against the aphid Myzus persicae and its natural predator, the hoverfly (Sphaerophoria rueppellii). Aphid mortality was dose-dependent, reaching 85% with rosemary EO, 83% with laurel, and 81% with cypress. In contrast, hoverfly larvae mortality remained low, with a maximum of 20%, which could largely be attributed to the solvent used in the assays. These promising results support further research to develop effective EO-based tools for integrated pest management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protecting Field Crops from Economically Damaging Aphid Infestation)
12 pages, 2810 KiB  
Article
Contrasting Effects of Mutualistic Ants (Solenopsis invicta) and Predatory Ladybugs on the Proportion of Dark Green Morphs of Cotton Aphids
by Yao Chen, Hejun Cui, Tian Xu and Li Chen
Insects 2025, 16(3), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16030271 - 4 Mar 2025
Viewed by 708
Abstract
Cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii, are an important pest worldwide and have evolved mutualistic relationships with the invasive fire ant Solenopsis invicta. Their body color varies from pale yellow to dark green, with an increase in body size and fecundity. The body [...] Read more.
Cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii, are an important pest worldwide and have evolved mutualistic relationships with the invasive fire ant Solenopsis invicta. Their body color varies from pale yellow to dark green, with an increase in body size and fecundity. The body color composition in a cotton aphid colony can be influenced by biotic interactions with mutualistic ants and predatory ladybugs. However, since the distribution of nutrients varies across host plant organs, there may exist special effects of biotic interactions on the body color composition of the aphids on different plant parts. In the present study, we found that, under constant laboratory conditions, the proportions of dark green morphs varied among the cotton aphids distributed on different parts of a cotton seedling, with significantly higher proportions on the stems, petioles, and sprouts (SPSs) than on leaves. The presence of mutualistic fire ants significantly increased the proportion of dark green morphs in the cotton aphid colony, but with a reduction in aphid body size, compared to the untended individuals. In contrast, the introduction of a predatory seven-spotted ladybug, Coccinella septempunctata, dramatically decreased the proportion of dark green morphs on SPSs, but not on leaves, leading to a reduction in the proportion of the whole colony. These results illustrate a spatial variation in the proportions of dark green morphs on host plants in cotton aphids, which may be an adaptive strategy used by the aphids to gain benefits and/or minimize costs in the interactions with mutualistic ants and predatory ladybugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protecting Field Crops from Economically Damaging Aphid Infestation)
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12 pages, 1132 KiB  
Article
Effects of Temperature and Humidity on the Fitness of Aphid Parasitoid, Binodoxys communis
by Shike Xia, Ningwei Ma, Peiling Wang and Yanhui Lu
Insects 2025, 16(3), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16030264 - 3 Mar 2025
Viewed by 600
Abstract
Binodoxys communis is a dominant endoparasitoid of aphids in cotton fields, yet empirical evidence on how temperature and humidity regulate its growth, development, and reproduction remains limited. To address this gap, we assessed the effects of both constant and fluctuating temperature, as well [...] Read more.
Binodoxys communis is a dominant endoparasitoid of aphids in cotton fields, yet empirical evidence on how temperature and humidity regulate its growth, development, and reproduction remains limited. To address this gap, we assessed the effects of both constant and fluctuating temperature, as well as various combinations of temperature and humidity, on the longevity, parasitism, and fecundity of this parasitoid. Our results revealed that adult longevity of B. communis was longer at 20 °C and 25 °C while significantly shortened at a high temperature (35 °C). Similarly, the parasitism rate, female ratio, emergence duration, and offspring longevity of the parasitoid were all superior at 20 °C and 25 °C compared to 15 °C and 35 °C. Moreover, the longevity of both male (6.96 ± 0.10 d) and female (6.88 ± 0.07 d) parasitoids was significantly extended at 25 °C and 60% RH. Temperature had a marked impact on the parasitic capability of parasitoids, with the number of Aphis gossypii parasitized daily by B. communis being significantly higher at 25 °C than at 15 °C and 35 °C. Nevertheless, humidity and the interaction between humidity and temperature had no significant influence on parasitic capacity. The parasitism of B. communis followed the Holling-II model, with the highest daily maximum parasitism observed at 25 °C. In conclusion, our study showed that 25 °C positively enhanced the fitness of B. communis, providing a valuable reference for indoor population expansion and field release of B. communis, potentially enhancing its effectiveness as a biological control agent against aphids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protecting Field Crops from Economically Damaging Aphid Infestation)
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13 pages, 2870 KiB  
Article
Pseudomonas Infection Affects the Growth and Development of Aphis gossypii by Disrupting Energy Metabolism and Reproductive Processes
by Qiqing Yu, Ruichang Niu, Xueke Gao, Junyu Luo, Jinjie Cui, Li Wang and Xiangzhen Zhu
Insects 2025, 16(3), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16030238 - 24 Feb 2025
Viewed by 545
Abstract
For instance, Pseudomonas is involved in numerous life processes of A. gossypii and exerts a significant influence on its physiological indicators. The results demonstrate that Pseudomonas infection disturbs the normal growth and development of A. gossypii, resulting in a substantial reduction in [...] Read more.
For instance, Pseudomonas is involved in numerous life processes of A. gossypii and exerts a significant influence on its physiological indicators. The results demonstrate that Pseudomonas infection disturbs the normal growth and development of A. gossypii, resulting in a substantial reduction in the number of offspring. Compared with the uninfected control group, the innate rate of increase and the endogenous growth rate are markedly lower. Moreover, RNA-sequencing revealed that genes related to energy synthesis and nutrient metabolism were significantly upregulated in A. gossypii infected with Pseudomonas. Simultaneously, the infection led to a significant downregulation of genes related to alkaline phosphatase in the folate-synthesis pathway and histone proteinase B synthesis in the metabolism pathway of A. gossypii. These experimental findings indicate that Pseudomonas infection disrupts the growth and development of A. gossypii, specifically manifested as a significant upregulation of genes related to energy synthesis and nutrient metabolism and a downregulation of genes related to reproduction. Overall, these results offer support for the study of the interactions between aphids and symbiotic bacteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protecting Field Crops from Economically Damaging Aphid Infestation)
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17 pages, 3075 KiB  
Article
The Belowground–Aboveground Interactions of Zucchini: The Effects of Trichoderma afroharzianum Strain T22 on the Population and Behavior of the Aphid Aphis gossypii Glover and Its Endoparasitoid Aphidius colemani Viereck
by Donatella Battaglia, Stefania Mirela Mang, Vittoria Caccavo, Paolo Fanti and Pierluigi Forlano
Insects 2024, 15(9), 690; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15090690 - 12 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1092
Abstract
Fungi belonging to the genus Trichoderma have received high consideration in agriculture due to their beneficial effects on crops from their plant promotion effects and protection from disease. A role of Trichoderma fungi in triggering plant defense mechanisms against insect pests, either directly [...] Read more.
Fungi belonging to the genus Trichoderma have received high consideration in agriculture due to their beneficial effects on crops from their plant promotion effects and protection from disease. A role of Trichoderma fungi in triggering plant defense mechanisms against insect pests, either directly or by natural enemy attraction, has been proposed, even if the results in different studies are controversial. In this present study, using zucchini plants as a model species, we investigated the effects of Trichoderma afroharzianum strain T22 plant inoculation on the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii and its endoparasitoid Aphidius colemani. Our results showed that the inoculation with T. afroharzianum T22 promotes A. gossypii population growth and makes zucchini more attractive to the aphid. The higher abundance of aphids on Trichoderma-inoculated zucchini was compensated for by a higher presence of the mummies of Aphidius colemani. In this present study, we recorded a higher zucchini biomass, thereby confirming that Trichoderma can act as a plant growth inducer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protecting Field Crops from Economically Damaging Aphid Infestation)
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