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Large-scale deployment of plant resistance to aphids can lead to a gradual change in targeted aphid populations, leading to the emergence of clones colonizing ‘ resistant’ plants. A key point of the process is the dispersion in the agrosystem of clones selected at the plot scale. To investigate this key point we will study melon/Aphis gossypii system.

By modeling we aim at identifying to which trait (s) of the aphid's life history, the probability of occurrence of adults (dispersers) is the most sensitive. Then we will look for QTLs in melon that act on this trait (s). To initiate the integration of these QTL in plant breeding program, we will ask seed companies to test the effectiveness of these QTL in different Mediterranean production areas. We will characterize the populations of incoming (spring-winged) and outgoing (wing-producing) aphids to characterize in situ the effect of QTLs of durability. Information on other characteristics critical for sustainability will be collected / estimated for production basins (presence of Cucurbitaceae, importance of sexual reproduction in aphid populations ...).