Effect of nonessential amino acids on phagostimulation and maintenance of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum

Abstract

Eleven nonessential amino acids and amides, at concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 1.0% in 35% sucrose solutions, were individually tested for their role in phagostimulation, growth, and survival in Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris). Alanine and -γ-amino butyric acid were generally phagostimulatory, whereas asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, cystine, glutamic acid, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine were generally inhibitory. Asparagine, glutamic acid, glycine, and proline supported growth and prolonged survival; aspartic acid and tyrosine increased weight but did not prolong survival, and alanine, -γ-amino butyric acid, cystine, cysteine, and serine neither promoted growth nor prolonged survival.