Superclonal expansion and barley yellow dwarf virus transmission failure in invasive Metopolophium festucae cerealium

Shirin Parizad; Jane Dostart; Subodh Adhikari; Milo Flint; Paul A Hohenlohe; Sanford D Eigenbrode; Arash Rashed

doi:10.1038/s41598-026-60451-8

Superclonal expansion and barley yellow dwarf virus transmission failure in invasive Metopolophium festucae cerealium

Shirin Parizad, Jane Dostart, Subodh Adhikari, Milo Flint, Paul A Hohenlohe, Sanford D Eigenbrode Arash Rashed

Scientific reports

07/01/2026

: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-60451-8

: 42387072

Biological invasion

Vector competence

Population genomics

Cereal agroecosystems

Superclonal expansion

Barley yellow dwarf virus

Aphid

Biological invasions can influence ecosystems, yet the evolutionary trajectories and disease dynamics of clonal expansion remain poorly understood. Since its 2011 detection, Metopolophium festucae cerealium (Stroyan), a subspecies of the cereal grass aphid endemic to Europe, has expanded across small grain growing regions of the western U.S. Our field surveys further indicate continued range expansion into previously unreported areas. Here, we integrate population genomics with virus transmission assays to evaluate its invasion structure and potential role in barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) transmission. Genome-wide SNP analysis of 262 individuals from six states reveals high genetic homogeneity, supporting a single introduction event and subsequent superclonal expansion. Although M. f. cerealium acquires BYDV at rates comparable to native Rhopalosiphum padi and maintains similar viral titers, it fails to transmit the virus. The primary agroecological risk posed by this invasion is through direct feeding injury, underscoring the need for continued monitoring and refined pest management strategies.

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url

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-60451-8

Published (Version of record)

: Superclonal expansion and barley yellow dwarf virus transmission failure in invasive Metopolophium festucae cerealium
: Shirin Parizad - University of Idaho
Jane Dostart - University of Idaho
Subodh Adhikari - University of Idaho, Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Nematology
Milo Flint - University of Idaho
Paul A Hohenlohe - University of Idaho, Biological Sciences
Sanford D Eigenbrode - University of Idaho, Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Nematology
Arash Rashed - University of Idaho
: Scientific reports
: Springer Nature
: 38
: 2024-68008-42760 / USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture CARE program (USDA-NIFA-CARE) P30GM103324 / NIH COBRE Phase III Grant 2020-70006-32980 / USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Crop Protection and Pest Management program (USDA-NIFA-CPPM)
: 996978169801851
: Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Nematology; Institute for Health in the Human Ecosystem; Center for Research on Invasive Species; Biological Sciences
: English
: Journal article