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<p>Aphids, as specialised, sap-sucking herbivores, pose a serious threat to plants, both in natural ecosystems and in agriculture. While their specialisation allows effective management, due to their ecological plasticity, any factors disturbing this specialisation may increase their harmfulness. Here we report unexpected exploitation of <i>Capsicum</i> (Magnoliopsida, Solanaceae) by the widely distributed black fern aphid <i>Idiopterus nephrelepidis</i>, previously recorded only on ferns (Polypodiopsida). Incidental observation of unusual host plant exploitation in household conditions demonstrated the remarkable ability of this aphid to alter its nutritional source. Analysis of plant structure demonstrated clear anatomical and chemical differences in both exploited hosts, without specialised structures or sensillary organs in the aphid mouthparts. Two alternative hypotheses explaining the observed host expansion are discussed: (1) In the wild, the black fern aphid exploits (or exploited) some Solanaceae species, possibly as the primary host, consequently retaining an ability to overcome the deterrent properties of pepper. (2) Feeding in an anthropogenic environment (e.g. greenhouse) may reduce the negative selective pressure of natural enemies, enabling aphids to feed on new plant species. In either case, the observed host expansion highlights the need to monitor the potential of this aphid to exploit crop plants.</p>

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Surprising potential host expansion in the specialised black fern aphid – intrinsic capability or random impact of anthropogenic environment?

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月31日

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  • Katarzyna Sala-Cholewa,
  • Łukasz Depa,
  • Xiaolei Huang,
  • Mariusz Kanturski

摘要

Aphids, as specialised, sap-sucking herbivores, pose a serious threat to plants, both in natural ecosystems and in agriculture. While their specialisation allows effective management, due to their ecological plasticity, any factors disturbing this specialisation may increase their harmfulness. Here we report unexpected exploitation of Capsicum (Magnoliopsida, Solanaceae) by the widely distributed black fern aphid Idiopterus nephrelepidis, previously recorded only on ferns (Polypodiopsida). Incidental observation of unusual host plant exploitation in household conditions demonstrated the remarkable ability of this aphid to alter its nutritional source. Analysis of plant structure demonstrated clear anatomical and chemical differences in both exploited hosts, without specialised structures or sensillary organs in the aphid mouthparts. Two alternative hypotheses explaining the observed host expansion are discussed: (1) In the wild, the black fern aphid exploits (or exploited) some Solanaceae species, possibly as the primary host, consequently retaining an ability to overcome the deterrent properties of pepper. (2) Feeding in an anthropogenic environment (e.g. greenhouse) may reduce the negative selective pressure of natural enemies, enabling aphids to feed on new plant species. In either case, the observed host expansion highlights the need to monitor the potential of this aphid to exploit crop plants.