Myzus persicae Sulzer aphid contains oxylipins that originate from phloem sap

Abstract

Oxylipins are oxygenated fatty acids and their derivatives that play key roles in response to stress. They are widespread in many organisms including mammals or plants but are unknown in arthropods. In this study, we identified oxylipins in Myzys persicae Sulzer aphids reared on Vicia faba L. plants. Further experiments based on: (i) Radiolabelled substrate incubation with aphid extracts, and (ii) rearing of aphids on an artificial diet revealed that aphids were unable to synthesize oxylipins. As the V. faba total leaf oxylipin profile differs from the aphid one, it was assessed whether: (i) Aphids are able to transform leaf oxylipins, or (ii) phloem sap (ingested by aphids when feeding on plants) contains oxylipins different from total leaf ones. Phloem exudates analysis revealed, for the first time, that it contains oxylipins that are different from total leaf ones. These oxylipins are further ingested by aphids. © 2007 Taylor & Francis.