Impact of endophytic entomopathogenic fungus on plant attractivity in aphid-virus-plant interactions

Endophytic entomopathogenic fungi (EEPF) are biological control agents able to live in their host plants in a symbiotic interaction and secrete secondary metabolites in the host plant tissues interacting with pests and phytopathogenic agents like plants virus. This is the case of Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) transmitted by the Bird cherry oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi Linnaeus) and the Grain aphid (Sitobion avenae Fabricius). This virus is one of the most economically important phytoviruses affecting major world cereal crops such as wheat, rice and corn, causing significant yield losses. In this study, we investigated the influence of EEPF presence in the plant tissues on the vector’s orientation preference by considering the insect virus-infection status. We performed a choice test in Petri dishes and collection of volatile compounds emitted by plants. The impact of these interactions between plant-fungi-virus is finally discussed.