scholarly journals Assessing the Role of Developmental and Environmental Factors in Chemical Defence Variation in Heliconiini Butterflies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ombeline Sculfort ◽  
Melanie McClure ◽  
Bastien Nay ◽  
Marianne Elias ◽  
Violaine Llaurens
Keyword(s):  
Host Plant ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Chemical Defence ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
Chemical Defences ◽  
Larval Host ◽  
In Captivity

AbstractChemical defences in animals are both incredibly widespread and highly diverse. Yet despite the important role they play in mediating interactions between predators and prey, extensive differences in the amounts and types of chemical compounds can exist between individuals, even within species and populations. Here we investigate the potential role of environment and development on the chemical defences of warningly coloured butterfly species from the tribe Heliconiini, which can both synthesize and sequester cyanogenic glycosides (CGs). We reared 5 Heliconiini species in captivity, each on a single species-specific host plant as larvae, and compared them to individuals collected in the wild to ascertain whether the variation in CG content observed in the field might be the result of differences in host plant availability. Three of these species were reared as larvae on the same host plant, Passiflora riparia, to further test how species, sex, and age affected the type and amount of different defensive CGs, and how they affected the ratio of synthesized to sequestered compounds. Then, focusing on the generalist species Heliconius numata, we specifically explored variation in chemical profiles as a result of the host plant consumed by caterpillars and their brood line, using rearing experiments carried out on two naturally co-occurring host plants with differing CG profiles. Our results show significant differences in both the amount of synthesized and sequestered compounds between butterflies reared in captivity and those collected in the field. We also found a significant effect of species and an effect of sex in some, but not all, species. We show that chemical defences in H. numata continue to increase throughout their life, likely because of continued biosynthesis, and we suggest that variation in the amount of synthesized CGs in this species does not appear to stem from larval host plants, although this warrants further study. Interestingly, we detected a significant effect of brood lines, consistent with heritability influencing CG concentrations in H. numata. Altogether, our results point to multiple factors resulting in chemical defence variation in Heliconiini butterflies and highlight the overlooked effect of synthesis capabilities, which may be genetically determined to some extent.

scholarly journals Ornamental plantings of Arbutus unedo L. facilitate colonisations by Charaxes jasius (Linnaeus, 1767) in Madrid province, central Spain

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-68
Author(s):  
Juan Pablo Cancela ◽  
Sasha Vasconcelos
Keyword(s):  
Host Plant ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Central Spain ◽  
North Central ◽  
The Past ◽  
Larval Host ◽  
Juvenile Stages ◽  
Larval Host Plants

The distribution of butterfly species is limited by availability of larval host plants growing in suitable climatic conditions. The Two-tailed Pasha, Charaxesjasius (Linnaeus, 1767), is a Mediterranean butterfly with only sporadic historical records in Madrid, Spain’s most central province, where the host plant is uncommon and winters are colder than in most parts of the butterfly’s range. We show the first evidence of juvenile stages of the species in two towns of north-central Madrid and compile records of C.jasius from Madrid over the past four decades. Our results suggest that, in the absence of widespread host plants, C.jasius is using suburban ornamental plantings of its host plant to colonise a region which may be becoming more climatically suitable.

scholarly journals Phenotypic plasticity in chemical defence of butterflies allows usage of diverse host plants

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Érika C. P. de Castro ◽  
Jamie Musgrove ◽  
Søren Bak ◽  
W. Owen McMillan ◽  
Chris D. Jiggins
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Chemical Defence ◽  
Adult Size ◽  
Cyanogenic Glucosides ◽  
Chemical Defences ◽  
Host Plant Specialization ◽  
Heliconius Cydno

Host plant specialization is a major force driving ecological niche partitioning and diversification in insect herbivores. The cyanogenic defences of Passiflora plants keep most herbivores at bay, but not the larvae of Heliconiu s butterflies, which can both sequester and biosynthesize cyanogenic compounds. Here, we demonstrate that both Heliconius cydno chioneus and H. melpomene rosina have remarkable plasticity in their chemical defences. When feeding on Passiflora species with cyanogenic compounds that they can readily sequester, both species downregulate the biosynthesis of these compounds. By contrast, when fed on Passiflora plants that do not contain cyanogenic glucosides that can be sequestered, both species increase biosynthesis. This biochemical plasticity comes at a fitness cost for the more specialist H. m. rosina , as adult size and weight for this species negatively correlate with biosynthesis levels, but not for the more generalist H. c. chioneus . By contrast, H. m rosina has increased performance when sequestration is possible on its specialized host plant. In summary, phenotypic plasticity in biochemical responses to different host plants offers these butterflies the ability to widen their range of potential hosts within the Passiflora genus, while maintaining their chemical defences.

scholarly journals Testing the effectiveness of pyrazine defences against spiders

Chemoecology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 139-146
Author(s):  
Emily R. Burdfield-Steel ◽  
Jutta M. Schneider ◽  
Johanna Mappes ◽  
Susanne Dobler
Keyword(s):  
Single Species ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Chemical Defences ◽  
Invertebrate Predator ◽  
Invertebrate Predators ◽  
Tiger Moth ◽  
Vast Variation ◽  
Web Building ◽  
Hunting Tactics

Abstract Insects live in a dangerous world and may fall prey to a wide variety of predators, encompassing multiple taxa. As a result, selection may favour defences that are effective against multiple predator types, or target-specific defences that can reduce predation risk from particular groups of predators. Given the variation in sensory systems and hunting tactics, in particular between vertebrate and invertebrate predators, it is not always clear whether defences, such as chemical defences, that are effective against one group will be so against another. Despite this, the majority of research to date has focused on the role of a single predator species when considering the evolution of defended prey. Here we test the effectiveness of the chemical defences of the wood tiger moth, a species previously shown to have defensive chemicals targeted towards ants, against a common invertebrate predator: spiders. We presented both live moths and artificial prey containing their defensive fluids to female Trichonephila senegalensis and recorded their reactions. We found that neither of the moth’s two defensive fluids were able to repel the spiders, and confirmed that methoxypyrazines, a major component of the defences of both the wood tiger moth and many insect species, are ineffective against web-building spiders. Our results highlight the variability between predator taxa in their susceptibility to chemical defences, which can in part explain the vast variation in these chemicals seen in insects, and the existence of multiple defences in a single species.

Larval Host Plants and Metamorphosis of Selected Butterfly Species (Rhopalocera) in La Union Botanical Garden (LUBG), San Fernando, La Union, Philippines

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
ALMA E. NACUA ◽  
ALMA B. MOHAGAN ◽  
GRECEBIO JONATHAN D. ALEJANDRO
Keyword(s):  
Host Plants ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Larval Host ◽  
Ocular Micrometer ◽  
San Fernando ◽  
Line Transects ◽  
Larval Host Plants

Host plants are known to support growth of different butterfly species in the larval stage.  Butterfly larvae are characterized by being voracious eaters and host plant specific. However, information regarding larval host plants of many butterfly species remains poor in the Philippines. The paper aimed to provide information on the larval host plants of the butterflies and document some butterfly life cycles in La Union Botanical Garden, San Fernando, La Union (LUBG), Philippines. The study employed visual searching for eggs and larvae in the foliage along the 100-meter line transects established in LUBG. Larval host plants were determined when larvae feed on the plant particularly leaves or flowers. The study on the life cycle or metamorphosis of selected butterfly species utilized field observation and description using ocular micrometer under the microscope. The data revealed 66 species in 27 families of larval host plants that support 57 species in 4 families of butterflies. The results suggest that presence and abundance of larval host plants affect butterfly metamorphosis and abundance in LUBG. Keywords - Butterfly, larval host plants, metamorphosis

scholarly journals How to fight multiple enemies: target-specific chemical defences in an aposematic moth

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1863) ◽  
pp. 20171424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bibiana Rojas ◽  
Emily Burdfield-Steel ◽  
Hannu Pakkanen ◽  
Kaisa Suisto ◽  
Michael Maczka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Defence ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Specific Chemical ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Chemical Defences ◽  
Defensive Strategies ◽  
Tiger Moth ◽  
Aversive Response ◽  
Show Evidence

Animals have evolved different defensive strategies to survive predation, among which chemical defences are particularly widespread and diverse. Here we investigate the function of chemical defence diversity, hypothesizing that such diversity has evolved as a response to multiple enemies. The aposematic wood tiger moth ( Arctia plantaginis ) displays conspicuous hindwing coloration and secretes distinct defensive fluids from its thoracic glands and abdomen. We presented the two defensive fluids from laboratory-reared moths to two biologically relevant predators, birds and ants, and measured their reaction in controlled bioassays (no information on colour was provided). We found that defensive fluids are target-specific: thoracic fluids, and particularly 2- sec -butyl-3-methoxypyrazine, which they contain, deterred birds, but caused no aversive response in ants. By contrast, abdominal fluids were particularly deterrent to ants, while birds did not find them repellent. Our study, to our knowledge, is the first to show evidence of a single species producing separate chemical defences targeted to different predator types, highlighting the importance of taking into account complex predator communities in studies on the evolution of prey defence diversity.

The Role of Host Selection in the Ecology of Phytophagous Insects

1953 ◽  
Vol 85 (8) ◽  
pp. 276-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Thorsteinson
Keyword(s):  
Host Plant ◽  
Host Selection ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Host Plant Selection ◽  
Phytophagous Insects ◽  
Phytophagous Insect ◽  
Ecological Significance ◽  
Plant Selection ◽  
Suitable Host

It is a commonplace entomological observation that each phytophagous insect is restricted in its feeding to a small fraction only of the plant species that grow in any area. This phenomenon is generally referred to as “host selection”. The ecological significance of host plant selection among insects is manifest principally in an effect on the geographical distribution of insect species since phytophagous insects can occur only where suitable host plants are available.

scholarly journals Phenotypic plasticity in chemical defence allows butterflies to diversify host use strategies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Érika C. P. de Castro ◽  
Jamie Musgrove ◽  
Søren Bak ◽  
W. Owen McMillan ◽  
Chris D. Jiggins
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Chemical Defence ◽  
Host Use ◽  
Insect Herbivores ◽  
Cyanogenic Glucosides ◽  
Chemical Defences ◽  
Biochemical Responses ◽  
Heliconius Cydno

AbstractHostplant specialization is a major force driving ecological niche partitioning and diversification in insect herbivores. The cyanogenic defences of Passiflora plants keeps most herbivores at bay, but not larvae of Heliconius butterflies, which can both sequester and biosynthesize cyanogenic compounds. Here, we demonstrate that both Heliconius cydno chioneus, a host plant generalist, and H. melpomene rosina, a specialist, have remarkable plasticity in their chemical defence. When feeding on Passiflora species with cyanogenic compounds they can readily sequester, both species downregulate the biosynthesis of these compounds. In contrast, when fed on Passiflora plants that do not contain cyanogenic glucosides that can be sequestered, both species increase biosynthesis. This biochemical plasticity comes at a significant fitness cost for specialist like H. m. rosina, as growth rates for this species negatively correlate with biosynthesis levels, but not for a generalist like H. c. chioneus. In exchange, H. m rosina has increased performance when sequestration is possible as on its specialised hostplant. In summary, phenotypic plasticity in biochemical responses to different host plants offers these butterflies the ability to widen their range of potential host within the Passiflora genus, while maintaining their chemical defences.

scholarly journals No fitness costs are induced by Spiroplasma infections of Aphis citricidus reared on two different host plants

2020 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Guidolin ◽  
F. L. Cônsoli
Keyword(s):  
Host Plant ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Aphid Species ◽  
Immune Defense ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Fitness Costs ◽  
Ecological Traits ◽  
Plant Utilization ◽  
High Infection

Abstract Aphids can harbor several secondary symbionts that alter important aphid-related ecological traits, such as defense against natural enemies, heat tolerance and host plant utilization. One of these secondary symbionts, Spiroplasma, is well known in Drosophila as a sex modulator and by interacting with the host immune system. However, little is known on the effects of Spiroplasma on aphids, such as its influence on the host immune defense against fungi and on host plant utilization. Aphid infections by Spiroplasma are known to be low and few aphid species were reported to be infected with this secondary symbiont, however aphids belonging to the genus Aphis in neotropical regions show high infection rates by Spiroplasma. Thus, we investigated the association of Spiroplasma with the tropical aphid Aphis citricidus through comparative biology experiments on two host plants with different nutritional value to the aphid. We demonstrate Spiroplasma induced no significant fitness costs to A. citricidus on either host plant as no changes in the fitness traits we assessed were observed. Spiroplasma infection only induced sutle changes on host longevity and fecundity. Therefore, we concluded Spiroplasma established a neutral interaction with A. citricidus under the selection pressure we tested, and argue on stress conditions that could better demonstrate the role of Spiroplasma in A. citricidus bioecology and associated costs involved.

scholarly journals EAG Responses of Adult Lobesia botrana Males and Females Collected from Vitis vinifera and Daphne Gnidium to Larval Host-Plant Volatiles and Sex Pheromone

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pérez-Aparicio ◽  
Torres-Vila ◽  
Gemeno
Keyword(s):  
Sex Pheromone ◽  
Vitis Vinifera ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Plant Volatiles ◽  
Methyl Salicylate ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Male Response ◽  
Daphne Gnidium ◽  
Plant Volatile ◽  
Larval Host

We analysed electroantennogram (EAG) responses of male and female adults of the European grapevine moth Lobesiabotrana (Denis et Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) collected as larvae from grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) and flax-leaved daphne (Daphne gnidium L.). The host-plant odorants tested were either V. vinifera-specific [1-octen-3-ol, (E)-β-farnesene, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene], D. gnidium-specific (2-ethyl-hexan-1-ol, benzothiazole, linalool-oxide, ethyl benzanoate), or were shared by both host-plants (linalool, methyl salicylate). Sex pheromone compounds were also tested. The male response to the major pheromone component (E7,Z9-12:Ac) was higher than to any other stimuli, whereas the response to the minor pheromone components (E7,Z9-12:OH and Z9-12:Ac) was not different from the response to the plant odorants. The female response to pheromone was lower or not different from that to plant odorants. Methyl salicylate elicited a higher response in females and (E)-β-farnesene elicited a higher response than several other plant odorants in both sexes. Non-significant interactions between host-plant odorant and sex indicated an absence of sex specialization for host-plant volatile detection. The lack of a significant interaction between plant volatiles and larval host-plants suggested that there was no specialization for plant-volatile detection between V. vinifera and D. gnidium individuals.

New species of Gymnocarena (Diptera: Tephritidae) from eastern North America and Guatemala, and the redescription of G. mississippiensis

2012 ◽  
Vol 144 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-265
Author(s):  
Bruce D. Sutton ◽  
Gary J. Steck ◽  
Allen L. Norrbom
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
North America ◽  
Host Plant ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
First Record ◽  
Eastern North America ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Larval Host ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
Larval Host Plants

AbstractWe describe three new species of fruit flies (Tephritidae: Tephritinae) (Gymnocarena defoeisp. nov. and Gymnocarenanorrbomisp. nov., from eastern North America and Gymnocarena monzonisp. nov. from Guatemala) and redescribe Gymnocarena mississippiensis Norrbom. Gymnocarena monzoni is the first Gymnocarena species to be recorded from Guatemala. This brings the total number of named species in this genus to 19. New larval host plant (Asteraceae) records for Gymnocarena include Verbesina helianthoides Michx. for G. mississippiensis and G. norrbomi, Verbesinaalternifolia (L.) Britton ex Kearney for G. norrbomi, and Viguiera cordata (Hook. and Arn.) D'Arcy for G. monzoni. The latter represents the first record for Gymnocarena in Viguiera Kunth. Gymnocarena larvae were also recorded from Verbesina virginica L. but not identified to species. A revised key to the known species of Gymnocarena and additional information on larval host plants and biology are provided.

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