Supercooling of Myzus persicae in relation to gut content

SUMMARY The supercooling distribution curves of Myzus persicae varied in response to feeding position, diet and age. Unfed instar I aphids supercooled to temperatures lower than –20 °C. Feeding aphids supercooled to higher temperatures, the earlier instars on subsidiary veins supercooling to lower temperatures than the late instars and adults on the main veins. Starvation decreased supercooling ability in some adult aphids. The supercooling ability of aphids feeding on sucrose solutions through a Parafilm membrane decreased in response to an increasing concentration, the position being reversed on 25% sucrose. Varying the amino acid concentration had no effect. The possible effects of this variable supercooling ability on the winter survival of the aphid are discussed.