D. J. Leybourne

Genetic diversity in vector populations influences the transmission efficiency of an important plant virus

The study examines how genetic diversity in aphid populations affects the transmission efficiency of barley yellow dwarf virus, finding significant variation in R. padi but not S. avenae.

Common facultative endosymbionts do not influence sensitivity of cereal aphids to pyrethroids

The paper tests if facultative endosymbionts in cereal aphids affect their sensitivity to pyrethroid insecticides, finding no link between endosymbiont presence and insecticide susceptibility.

Common resistance mechanisms are deployed by plants against sap-feeding herbivorous insects: insights from a meta-analysis and systematic review

This study identifies common resistance mechanisms in plants against sap-feeding insects through a meta-analysis of 129 studies, showing suppressed feeding behavior on resistant plants.

Development of a pest threshold decision support system for minimising damage to winter wheat from wheat bulb fly, Delia coarctata

This paper develops two predictive models and a decision support system to manage wheat bulb fly infestations in winter wheat by improving population predictions and assessing crop tolerance.

Stressful times in a climate crisis: how will aphids respond to more frequent drought?

This study uses a meta-analysis to show drought reduces aphid fitness globally, linked to lower plant vigour and higher plant defenses.

A fitness cost resulting from Hamiltonella defensa infection is associated with altered probing and feeding behaviour in Rhopalosiphum padi

This study shows that Hamiltonella defensa infection alters aphid feeding behavior, leading to reduced performance on poor quality plants.

Partial-resistance against aphids in wild barley reduces the oviposition success of the generalist parasitoid, Aphidius colemani

This study shows that partial resistance in wild barley reduces parasitoid success by directly affecting the plant environment, not by reducing aphid suitability.

Partial-resistance against aphids in wild barley involves phloem and mesophyll-based defences

This study identifies phloem and mesophyll-based defenses in wild barley that contribute to partial resistance against aphids, involving increased defense gene expression and altered amino acid composition.