Russian wheat aphid: a model for genomic plasticity and a challenge to breeders

Aphids (Hemiptera, Aphididae) belong to the class Insecta with about 5000 species worldwide. Despite extensive efforts with integrative management strategies, these pests have continued to adapt to selection pressure asserted by many control measures such as resistant host varieties and even insecticide spraying. Hence, knowledge gaps still exist with regards to aphid genomes and genomic function. This review aims to give a historical overview on the invasiveness of one of the economically important cereal pests, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov), also commonly known as the Russian wheat aphid (RWA), as well as present some of the more recent findings in studies pertaining to the aphid–plant host interaction and highlight new developments in understanding the mechanisms underpinning the development of virulence in this cereal aphid.