We combined field and laboratory experiments to examine how plant microsites alter fitness by measuring the fecundity of Rhopalosiphum paid and R. maidis. Next, we tested whether intra- and interspecific pre-inhabitation modify habitat selection in both aphid species by counting the number of aphid on areas of an artificial experimental arena where aphids freely moved between pre-inhabited and non-inhabited areas. Then we extracted footprints or compounds that triggered the aphid spatial preference and then tested their bioactivity. Next, through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis we identified and quantified (ng) the compounds and tested the effect of R. maidis density as well as the equivalent amount of the major compound using a synthetic form.