Abstract: 【Aim】 This study aims to determine the maternal effects of alate adults of Sitobion avenae under starvation stress so as to provide a foundation for future study of the successful establishment at a new habitat and continuous reproduction of alate migratory aphids. 【Methods】 The survival rates of alate adults of S. avenae starved for 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 h, and the number of offsprings produced within 24 h of resumption of feeding, body size at birth, development and reproduction of the offspring were examined and compared with those of the fed aphids at the same period. The potential effects of maternal starvation on its offspring were evaluated. 【Results】 The survival rate of alate adults of S. avenae in the starvation group was lower than that in the feeding group at the same period. Few offsprings were born during starvation but the number of offsprings produced within 24 h of resumption of feeding in the starvation group was higher than that in the feeding group at the same period. With the increase in the degree of maternal starvation, the body size of offsprings at birth decreased significantly within 24 h of resumption of feeding. Offsprings from mothers starved for over 96 h were smaller in body size significantly than those from the fed mothers at the same period. When the offsprings from starved mothers within 24 h of resumption of feeding were raised individually under normal food conditions, their nymphal duration increased significantly with the increase in the degree of maternal starvation. The nymphal duration of offsprings from mothers starved for 120 h and 144 h delayed significantly (15.1% and 158%, respectively), as compared with that from the fed mothers at the same period. However, no significant differences were observed in the nymphal survival rate, proportion of apterous individuals, adult longevity, and total fecundity of offsprings within 24 h of resumption of feeding among the starvation treatments. 【Conclusion】 Alate adults of S. avenae display a lower survival rate under starvation stress, but the number of offsprings from the starved mothers within 24 h of resumption of feeding is higher than that from the fed mother at the same period. With the increase in the degree of maternal starvation, the body size of offsprings at birth decreases significantly and the nymphal duration increases significantly within 24 h of resumption of feeding. However, maternal starvation experience has no effects on the nymphal survival rate, proportion of apterous individuals, adult longevity, and total fecundity of offsprings within 24 h of resumption of feeding. The adaption of the offspring in response to maternal starvation stress may be one of the important factors for the successful establishment of new colonies of the alate migratory aphids.

Key words: Sitobion avenae; alate aphid, starvation stress, maternal effects; developmental duration, survival, fecundity, adaptation