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Effects of GNA and other mannose binding lectins on development and fecundity of the peach‐potato aphid Myzus persicae

Three mannose‐binding lectins were assayed in artificial diets for their toxic and growth‐inhibitory effects on nymphal development of the peach‐potato aphid Myzus persicae. The snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) lectin GNA was the most toxic, with an induced nymphal mortality of 42% at 1500 μg ml−1 (30 μM) and an IC50 (50% growth inhibition) of 630 μg ml−1 (13 μM). The daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) lectin NPA and a garlic (Allium sativum) lectin ASA induced no significant mortality in the range 10–1500 μg ml−1, but did result in growth inhibition of 59% (NPA) and 26% (ASA) at 1500 μg ml−1 (40 μM for NPA, 63 μM for ASA). All three lectins were responsible for a slight but significant growth stimulation when ingested at 10 μg ml−1, reaching + 26%, + 18% and + 11% over the control values for the garlic lectin, the daffodil lectin and the snowdrop lectin, respectively. GNA, as well as the glucose/mannose binding lectin Concanavalin A, were also provided at sublethal doses throughout the life cycle of the aphids, and effects on adult performance were monitored. Adult survival was not significantly altered, but both lectins adversely affected total fecundity and the dynamics of reproduction, resulting in significant reduction in calculated rm's (population intrinsic rate of natural increase) on lectin‐containing diets. These effects are discussed in relation to the use of transgenic plants expressing these toxic lectins for potential control of aphid populations.