Tree-killing aphid dramatically reduces bark contents in carbohydrates and nitrogen compounds

摘要: Abstract Aphids can affect the growth or architecture of their host-trees, but rarely challenge survival. Nonetheless, woolly poplar aphid, Phloeomyzus passerinii, kill healthy, mature poplars during outbreaks. Trees fail to open buds and flush leaves in spring following a severe infestation. This insect develops on trunks, where it induces galls which accumulate amino acids deplete starch content bark tissues. Here, we hypothesized that an infestation may then reduce non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) nitrogen compounds (NSNC) contents bark, reduction would be positively correlated with duration. turn compromise reactivation trees. Consequently also NSC NSNC could amount branches exhibiting bud break spring, subsequent radial growth. The were quantified autumn for different levels located two distant stands. In one stand, damage level crowns evaluated. both stands, dramatically reduced autumn, especially protein contents. While drop was not related duration, gradually decreased when duration increased. effect still detectible after reserves had likely been mobilized reactivation. Starch strongly crown health increment. These results suggest infested by P. passerinii die from carbon deficiency, unprecedented situation tree-aphid tree-gall inducing insects interactions. Further experiments monitoring seasonal dynamics organs trees should conducted validate this hypothesis. trees, might used as predictor tree decay managers.