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Survival and reproductive performance of Rhopalosiphum padi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on maize husk: evidence for a secondary host facilitating seasonal carryover

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 September 2025

Wenhua Hou ,
Linhai Xia ,
Xiaoxiao Yuan ,
Xiong Peng ,
Jaime C. Piñero  and
Maohua Chen Open the ORCID record for Maohua Chen [Opens in a new window]
Wenhua Hou
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
Linhai Xia
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
Xiaoxiao Yuan
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
Xiong Peng*
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
Jaime C. Piñero
Affiliation:
Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
Maohua Chen*
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on the Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
*
Corresponding authors: Maohua Chen; Email: maohua.chen@nwsuaf.edu.cn; Xiong Peng; E-mail: pengxiong_11@nwsaf.edu.cn
Corresponding authors: Maohua Chen; Email: maohua.chen@nwsuaf.edu.cn; Xiong Peng; E-mail: pengxiong_11@nwsaf.edu.cn
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Abstract

The host plant associations of the bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), a major pest of wheat, before and after wheat harvest remain poorly understood. Overlapping growth of maize and wheat may promote R. padi survival and movement between crops. We examined population dynamics and constructed life tables for R. padi reared on wheat seedlings, maize husks, and maize leaves. Field-collected R. padi survived on both maize tissues, but aphid abundance declined sharply on aging maize leaves, while aphids on maize husks developed successfully. Aphids reared on wheat exhibited the fastest development, longest lifespan (27.89 ± 1.20 days), highest fecundity (98.59 ± 5.61 nymphs), and lowest mortality (2.56%). In contrast, aphids transferred to maize leaves showed reduced longevity (19.62 ± 1.16 days), lower fecundity (33.55 ± 2.47 nymphs), and higher mortality (23.73%). No significant differences in some reproductive parameters were observed between wheat- and maize husk-reared aphids, indicating relatively good performance on maize husks. Aphids transferred from wheat to maize experienced fitness costs, while aphids moved from maize husks back to wheat exhibited improved performance. These findings suggest that maize husks offer a comparatively favourable resource microhabitat for R. padi, potentially serving as a secondary host that supports population persistence after wheat harvest.

Keywords

fitnesshost plantmaizeRhopalosiphum padi

Information

Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 116 , Issue 1 , February 2026 , pp. 47 - 57
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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