Cuticular hydrocarbons in aphids: mechanisms, diversity, and prospects for sustainable pest control
Qiao, Jian-Wen; Fan, Yong-Liang; Liu, Tong-Xian
Entomologia Generalis Volume 45 Number 4 (2025), p. 951 - 963
published: Oct 20, 2025
published online: Aug 20, 2025
manuscript accepted: Jun 5, 2025
final revised version received: May 10, 2025
manuscript revision requested: Apr 27, 2025
manuscript received: Feb 28, 2025
Open Access (paper may be downloaded free of charge)
Abstract
Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are multifunctional compounds essential to aphid physiology and ecology, playing critical roles in desiccation resistance and chemical communication. Leveraging knowledge of aphid CHCs could lead to novel and sustainable pest management strategies by specifically targeting aphid survival mechanisms related to water retention and social interactions. This review comprehensively summarizes current knowledge regarding the composition, diversity, biosynthesis, transport mechanisms, and ecological functions of aphid CHCs, highlighting the roles of genetic, environmental, hormonal, and symbiotic factors. Solvent extraction and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) remain the primary techniques for isolating aphid CHCs. These hydrocarbons form a hydrophobic barrier crucial for desiccation resistance, and they mediate vital ecological interactions such as species and mate recognition, reproductive regulation, and mutualistic associations with ants. Strategies that disrupt CHC biosynthesis or transport (e.g., enzyme inhibitors, RNA interference) or interfere with CHC-mediated chemical communication using synthetic analogs have potential as eco-friendly aphid control approaches. Such methods could increase aphid vulnerability to environmental stressors and natural enemies, thereby providing sustainable alternatives to traditional insecticides. By consolidating existing research and identifying key knowledge gaps, this review highlights the promise of CHC-based strategies for sustainable aphid management. Future investigations should prioritize elucidating the molecular mechanisms underpinning CHC biosynthesis, transport, and ecological functions across diverse aphid species to facilitate innovative and environmentally friendly pest control solutions.
Keywords
regulation mechanism • desiccation tolerance • chemical communication • aphid control • P450 • chemical mimicry • ant–aphid mutualism