Aphid-AutoEPG software for analysing electrically monitored feeding behaviour of aphids

Abstract

Aphid-AutoEPG is a new software program, developed to acquire and automatically analyse electrical penetration graph (EPG) signals used for monitoring plant penetration by aphids. Characteristically EPG signals include waveforms that allow one to study the effects of plants on the acquisition and transmission of viruses, plant protection substances on pests and identify the location of resistance in plants to aphids. The success of electrical monitoring arises from the fact that different species of aphids generate similar EPG patterns. But the visual analysis of EPG waveforms in recorded signals is very time consuming, which has greatly hampered the wider application of EPG technology. To overcome this Aphid-AutoEPG software was developed, which has been extensively tested using data files for several different species of aphids, M. persicae, A. frangulae gossypii, M. albifrons, S. avenae, B. brassicae and N. ribis-nigri. The results have also been compared with visual analyses using Stylet+ software. When used in combination with the user friendly correction options Aphid-AutoEPG is not only easy to use but can also result in a considerable saving in terms of time.