Figure 4. Mean proportion of infective and noninfective aphids responding in a dual-choice bioassay examining host plant selection preferences to BYDV-infected and sham-inoculated wheat plants as influenced by direct effects of virus acquisition following membrane feeding.

Each replicate (n = 12) consisted of one arena with noninfective aphids paired with one arena of infective aphids, randomized in a complete block design over time. Statistical analyses compared the response of infective and noninfective aphids to the BYDV-infected or sham-inoculated plant treatment. (a) Aphid responses at the first observation point made 12 h after release. Noninfective aphids significantly preferred BYDV-infected wheat compared to infective aphids (generalized linear model; χ² = 4.24, p = 0.0394). Infective aphids significantly preferred sham-inoculated wheat compared to noninfective aphids (generalized linear model; χ² = 5.64, p = 0.0176). (b) Aphid responses pooled over time (6 observations). Noninfective aphids significantly preferred BYDV-infected wheat compared to infective aphids (generalized linear model; χ² = 16.18, p < 0.0001). Infective aphids significantly preferred sham-inoculated wheat compared to noninfective aphids (generalized linear model; χ² = 16.32, p < 0.0001). Data are means ± SE following logit transformation. Errors bars are s.e.m.