The long proboscis of the aphid Stomaphis yanonis (Aphididae Lachninae) is advantageous for avoiding predation by tending ants

Takumi Matsuura, Shunsuke Nakamura, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Tsubasa Toji, Takao Itino

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Whether in ant–aphid mutualism the ants exert evolutionary selection pressure on aphid morphology has not yet been fully tested. Here, we tested whether the long proboscises of Stomaphis yanonis (Aphididae Lachninae) aphids confer an advantage in preventing predation by the tending ants. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that aphids with a shorter proboscis would excrete less honeydew, making them more likely to be preyed upon by ants. Our results showed that aphid individuals with a shorter proboscis took up less phloem sap and excreted less honeydew than individuals with a longer proboscis. In addition, among aphids with a similar body size, those with a shorter proboscis were more susceptible to predation by ants than those with a longer proboscis. These results suggest that predation by tending ants, by exerting selection pressure on aphid proboscis morphology, has caused the aphids to evolve longer proboscises.

Original languageEnglish
Article number35
JournalDie Naturwissenschaften
Volume111
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024

Keywords

  • Ant-aphid mutualism
  • Honeydew
  • Phloem sap
  • Predation
  • Proboscis length
  • Selection pressure

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