Pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum, have the potential to increase reproduction as a defence against pathogens, though how frequently this occurs or how infection with live pathogens influences this response is not well understood. Here we determine the minimum infective dose of an environmentally common bacterium and possible aphid pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae, to determine the likelihood of pa...

Abstract For herbivorous insects, dropping from the host plant is a commonly-observed antipredator defence. The use of compared to other behaviours and its timing in relation contact with predator was explored both pea aphids ( Acyrthosiphon pisum ) potato Macrosiphum euphorbiae ). Pea dropped more frequently response ladybird adults Adalia bipunctata than lacewing larvae Chrysoperla carnea Pot...