Do aphids actively search for ant partners?


  • Fischer, C. , Vanderplanck, M. , Lognay, G. , Detrain, C. & Verheggen, F. (2015). Do aphids actively search for ant partners? Insect Science, 22: 283-288.
Type Journal Article
Year 2015
Title Do aphids actively search for ant partners?
Journal Insect Science
Label U14_2015
Volume 22
Pages 283-288
Endnote keywords Aphids, ants, pheromone
Abstract The aphid–ant mutualistic relationships are not necessarily obligate for neither partners but evidence is that such interactions provide them strong advantages in terms of global fitness. While it is largely assumed that ants actively search for their mutualistic partners namely using volatile cues;whether winged aphids (i.e., aphids’mostmobile form) are able to select ant-frequented areas had not been investigated so far. Ant-frequented sites would indeed offer several advantages for these aphids including a lower predation pressure through ant presence and enhanced chances of establishing mutuaslistic interactions with neighbor ant colonies. In the field, aphid colonies are often observed in higher densities around ant nests, which is probably linked to a better survival ensured by ants’ services. Nevertheless, this could also result from a preferential establishment of winged aphids in ant-frequented areas. We tested this last hypothesis through different ethological assays and show that the facultative myrmecophilous black bean aphid, Aphis fabae L., does not orientate its search for a host plant preferentially toward ant-frequented plants.However, our results suggest that ants reduce the number of winged aphids leaving the newly colonized plant. Thus, ants involved in facultativemyrmecophilous interactions with aphids appear to contribute to structure aphid populations in the field by ensuring a better establishment and survival of newly established colonies rather than by inducing a deliberate plant selection by aphid partners based on the proximity of ant colonies.The aphid–ant mutualistic relationships are not necessarily obligate for neither partners but evidence is that such interactions provide them strong advantages in terms of global fitness. While it is largely assumed that ants actively search for their mutualistic partners namely using volatile cues;whether winged aphids (i.e., aphids’mostmobile form) are able to select ant-frequented areas had not been investigated so far. Ant-frequented sites would indeed offer several advantages for these aphids including a lower predation pressure through ant presence and enhanced chances of establishing mutuaslistic interactions with neighbor ant colonies. In the field, aphid colonies are often observed in higher densities around ant nests, which is probably linked to a better survival ensured by ants’ services. Nevertheless, this could also result from a preferential establishment of winged aphids in ant-frequented areas. We tested this last hypothesis through different ethological assays and show that the facultative myrmecophilous black bean aphid, Aphis fabae L., does not orientate its search for a host plant preferentially toward ant-frequented plants.However, our results suggest that ants reduce the number of winged aphids leaving the newly colonized plant. Thus, ants involved in facultativemyrmecophilous interactions with aphids appear to contribute to structure aphid populations in the field by ensuring a better establishment and survival of newly established colonies rather than by inducing a deliberate plant selection by aphid partners based on the proximity of ant colonies.
Author address g.sinnaeve@cra.wallonie.be
Fichier
Authors Fischer, C., Vanderplanck, M., Lognay, G., Detrain, C., Verheggen, F.