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Microorganisms from aphid honeydew attract and enhance the efficacy of natural enemies

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  • Pascal D. Leroy

    (University of Liege, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Passage des Déportés 2)

  • Ahmed Sabri

    (Walloon Center of Industrial Biology, University of Liege, B40, 4000 Sart-Tilman, Belgium.)

  • Stéphanie Heuskin

    (University of Liege, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Passage des Déportés 2)

  • Philippe Thonart

    (Walloon Center of Industrial Biology, University of Liege, B40, 4000 Sart-Tilman, Belgium.)

  • Georges Lognay

    (University of Liege, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Passage des Déportés 2)

  • François J. Verheggen

    (University of Liege, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Passage des Déportés 2)

  • Frédéric Francis

    (University of Liege, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Passage des Déportés 2)

  • Yves Brostaux

    (Computer Science and Mathematics, University of Liege, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Avenue de la Faculté 8)

  • Gary W. Felton

    (Penn State University)

  • Eric Haubruge

    (University of Liege, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Passage des Déportés 2)

Abstract

Aphids are one of the most serious pests of crops worldwide, causing major yield and economic losses. To control aphids, natural enemies could be an option but their efficacy is sometimes limited by their dispersal in natural environment. Here we report the first isolation of a bacterium from the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum honeydew, Staphylococcus sciuri, which acts as a kairomone enhancing the efficiency of aphid natural enemies. Our findings represent the first case of a host-associated bacterium driving prey location and ovipositional preference for the natural enemy. We show that this bacterium has a key role in tritrophic interactions because it is the direct source of volatiles used to locate prey. Some specific semiochemicals produced by S. sciuri were also identified as significant attractants and ovipositional stimulants. The use of this host-associated bacterium could certainly provide a novel approach to control aphids in field and greenhouse systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Pascal D. Leroy & Ahmed Sabri & Stéphanie Heuskin & Philippe Thonart & Georges Lognay & François J. Verheggen & Frédéric Francis & Yves Brostaux & Gary W. Felton & Eric Haubruge, 2011. "Microorganisms from aphid honeydew attract and enhance the efficacy of natural enemies," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 2(1), pages 1-7, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:2:y:2011:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1347
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1347
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