Aphids

Aphids are sap-feeding insects of the order Hemiptera and are among the most destructive pests in agriculture, particularly in temperate regions.

More than 4,000 aphid species in 10 families are known. Watch below how the green peach aphid Myzus persicae colonizes diverse plant species.

(Video courtesy of Genome Biology)

Aphids possess mouthparts composed of stylets that navigate to the plant vascular system, predominantly the phloem, for long-term feeding. The saliva of aphids and other insect herbivores contain virulence proteins (effectors) that modulate plant processes to the benefit of these insects.

The Hogenhout lab developed functional genomics resources for hemipteran insects, predominantly the green peach aphid Myzus persicae, to understand how aphid effectors and their targets will lead to the development of novel pest resistance strategies. Watch how plants sense aphid attack.