The soybean aphid is one of the main pests of soybean in the US Midwest, and insecticides and plant host resistance have been used to control it. However, new methods of management are needed due to the presence of aphid biotypes that can colonize resistant soybean varieties and the evolution of insecticide-resistant aphids. During compatible interactions, aphids are able to manipulate plant metabolism and interfere with plant defense; understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie this interaction can lead to new targets for aphid control. Here, we analyzed the effect of aphid colonization on the plant’s lipid dynamics. We observed a significant effect of aphid feeding on the levels of fatty acids, changes in membrane lipids, a marked repression of JA signaling, and changes on plant cuticle. Potential roles for these changes will be discussed.
