Aphids dine on sap they suck from a plants phloem, or circulatory system, but that diet lacks key nutrients. The insects rely on internal bacteria called Buchnera to convert amino acids in sap, such as glutamate, into ones they are missing. The bacteria, in turn, benefit from other nutrients and shelter provided by the aphid.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this infographic is to explore the symbiotic relationship between aphids and Buchnera bacteria, which reside within the host insect in specialized cells called bacteriocytes. These bacteria process amino acids found in sap into essential amino acids needed by the aphid host. The target audience is educated lay public and subscribers of the journal Science.

EQUIPMENT / TECHNIQUE

Cinema 4D, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator