Feeding Influence of Three Pecan Aphid Species on Carbon Exchange and Phloem Integrity of Seedling Pecan Foliage

Abstract Feeding injury by pecan aphids on fully expanded pecan Carya illinoensis (Wangenh) K. Koch seedling foliage reduced net CO 2 exchange within 2 weeks of infestation and was dependent upon aphid density and species. Increasing aphid population levels resulted in increasing reductions in net photosynthesis. Carbon exchange rates after a buildup and subsequent rapid decline of either Monellia caryella (Fitch) or Monelliopsis pecanis (Bissell) populations resulted in a 50% reduction in net photosynthesis and 25% reduction in dark respiration. This effect can persist at least 12 weeks after the cessation of aphid infestation. Such leaves exhibit aphid-induced clogging of the phloem with callose and other substances. Such clogging may be associated with the commonly observed aphid population decline in pecan orchards. Observations indicate that the influence of aphid feeding on leaf photosynthetic physiology may impair pecan productivity.