Aphids out of control: Heritable resistance mechanisms and consequences for pest control

Summary

This research explores whether aphid pests carry resistance traits that protect them against various control methods. Aphids are major agricultural pests because they transmit plant viruses and cause enormous yield losses. While chemical insecticides are widely used to control aphids, these also harm the environment and beneficial insects. A sustainable alternative is biological control, using natural enemies to reduce aphid numbers. However, aphids can become resistant, not only to insecticides, but also to parasitoid wasps, which are commonly used to control aphids in greenhouses. The results of this thesis show that aphid pests can display multiple resistance traits to commonly applied control methods, not only within the population but also within a single individual, and that these resistance traits help shape the genetic make-up of aphid populations in crops. Understanding how aphids resist control will help us find better and more sustainable ways to control these important agricultural pests.