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Methyl chavicol treatments of Brassica rapa enhance the performance of both the aphid Myzus persicae and its parasitoid Aphidius gifuensis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2025

Xi Xian Chen ,
Jamin Ali Open the ORCID record for Jamin Ali [Opens in a new window] ,
Khalid Ali Khan ,
Hamed A. Ghramh ,
Vol Oberemok  and
Adil Tonğa Open the ORCID record for Adil Tonğa [Opens in a new window]
Xi Xian Chen
Affiliation:
College of Plant Protection, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
Jamin Ali*
Affiliation:
College of Plant Protection, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
Khalid Ali Khan
Affiliation:
Central Labs, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia Applied College, Center of Bee Research and its Products (CBRP), King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
Hamed A. Ghramh
Affiliation:
Central Labs, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia Biology Department, College of Science), King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
Vol Oberemok
Affiliation:
Department of General Biology and Genetics, V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Simferopol, Republic of Crimea, Russia
Adil Tonğa*
Affiliation:
Entomology Department, Diyarbakır Plant Protection Research Institute, Diyarbakir, Türkiye
*
Corresponding author: Adil Tonğa; Email: adton21@gmail.com; Jamin Ali; Email: j.alirana@yahoo.com
Corresponding author: Adil Tonğa; Email: adton21@gmail.com; Jamin Ali; Email: j.alirana@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Aphids pose a significant threat to crop production, highlighting the need for sustainable pest management strategies. Plant-derived compounds are well-known as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides. However, the role of methyl chavicol (MC), a phenylpropanoid found in several plant species, in inducing plant defence through exogenous application remains unexplored, despite its demonstrated insecticidal properties against various pests on direct exposure. This study aims to investigate the impact of exogenous MC applications on Brassica assessing performance and behaviour of Myzus persicae Sulzer (Aphididae) and its parasitoid Aphidius gifuensis Ashmead (Braconidae). Therefore, we assessed aphid survival and fecundity on MC-treated and untreated (control) plants using clip cages and evaluated behavioural responses through settlement and Y-tube olfactometer assays. Additionally, we conducted foraging and parasitism bioassays to examine performance of the natural enemy A. gifuensis on MC-treated plants. Our results showed that M. persicae exhibited higher fecundity on MC-treated plants compared to controls, indicating that MC treatment made the plants more favourable for aphid reproduction. Similarly, A. gifuensis demonstrated enhanced preference and parasitism behaviour towards MC-treated plants, suggesting that MC could help recruit the parasitoid. These findings suggest that MC may act as a modulator of plant defence, altering insect–plant interactions while maintaining compatibility with beneficial insects, offering a promising approach for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs in Brassica crops.

Keywords

Brassicamethyl chavicolMyzus persicaenatural enemiesplant defence

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Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 116 , Issue 2 , April 2026 , pp. 242 - 252
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© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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