Effects of temperature on the life-history traits of Myzus persicae and its efficiency in transmitting potato virus Y (PVY) in potato crops

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

PeerJ

Name of Author

• Bonoukpoè M. Sokame, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya.
• Henri E. Tonnang, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture - IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.
• Heidy Gamarra, International Potato Center - CIP, Lima, Peru.
• Pablo Carhuapoma, International Potato Center - CIP, Lima, Peru.
• Jan Kreuze, International Potato Center - CIP, Lima, Peru.
• Leah R. Johnson, Department of Statistics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America.
• Ali Arab, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States of America.
• Peter A. Armbruster, Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States of America.
• Oswaldo C. Villena, The Earth Commons Institute, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States of America.

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Abstract

Aphids are highly sensitive to temperature changes and play a crucial role in transmitting plant viruses, accounting for the transmission of more than 50% of viruses that cause disease in crops. Among them, Myzus persicae is a major global pest, affecting over 400 plant species and transmitting more than 100 plant viruses, including potato virus Y (PVY), which poses a severe threat to potato crops. This study examines how temperature influences the life-history traits of M. persicae and its efficiency in transmitting PVY. Our research revealed that temperature significantly affects developmental duration, survival, and fecundity of M. persicae. The aphids exhibited the longest lifespan at 10 °C and the shortest at 30 °C. Similarly, fecundity declined from 29.81 offspring per female at 10 °C to 14.25 at 30 °C. PVY transmission efficiency was highest at 20 °C. We also mapped potential PVY transmission regions and identified tropical and subtropical areas as high-risk due to their favourable temperatures and predicted abundance of aphids. Regional temperature differences significantly influence aphid development and PVY spread, necessitating localized management strategies. Our findings emphasize the importance of integrating climatological, ecological, and epidemiological data to develop robust pest/disease management strategies that mitigate the impact of M. persicae and PVY on potato production, thereby enhancing global food security.

Keywords

Aphids, Food security, Global warming, Staple crops, Virus transmission

Recommended Citation

Sokame, B. M., Tonnang, H. E., Gamarra, H., Carhuapoma, P., Kreuze, J., Johnson, L. R., Arab, A., Armbruster, P. A., & Villena, O. C. (2026). Effects of temperature on the life-history traits of Myzus persicae and its efficiency in transmitting potato virus Y (PVY) in potato crops. PeerJ, 14, e21239. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.21239

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.