Toxicity of phytohemagglutinin [PHA] from Phaseolus vulgaris L. to the bird cherry-oat aphid [Rhopalosiphum padi L.]

Recent progress in plant transformation for insect resistance has increased the interest in the potential toxicity of lectins to insect pests. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) on survival, development and fecundity of the bird cherry-oat aphid, when tested on artificial diet. The laboratory tests did not reveal any phagostimulating properties of lectin PHA to R. padi, although the presence of the PHA in the diet decreased fecundity of the adult aphids compared to aphids fed on control diets. Tested lectin had a negative effect on the insects’ weight and induced their mortality. The data presented here suggest that PHA possesses a high insecticidal activity towards the bird cherry-oat aphid and might be considered as protein biopesticide against that aphid pest.