The Known and Unknowns of Aphid Biotypes, and Their Role in Mediating Host Plant Defenses

Insect species are subjected to disparate selection pressure due various biotic and abiotic stresses. Management practices including the heavy use of chemical insecticides introduction insect-resistant plant cultivars have been found accelerate these processes. Clearly, natural coupled with human intervention led insect adaptations that alter phenotypes genetic structure over time, producing distinct individuals specialized traits, within populations, commonly defined as biotypes. Biotypes better fitness in new environment and, case aphids, most studied system for biotypes, ability successfully infest previously resistant host plants plants. Although a large number studies explored concept defining biotypes varies among scientists, we lack consistency estimating biotype behavior their variation between The is even more complicated aphid (Aphidoidea), they undergo parthenogenetic reproduction, making it difficult understand source or quantify gene flow. In this review, aim illuminate how has used study aphids. We intend further elaborate document existence using sugarcane (Melanaphis sacchari) model differences, level variation, evolution, significance pest management.