Copulation enhances resistance against an entomopathogenic fungus in the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor

Parasitology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 137 (6) ◽  
pp. 985-989 ◽  
Author(s):  
TERHI M. VALTONEN ◽  
HEIDI VIITANIEMI ◽  
MARKUS J. RANTALA
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Entomopathogenic Fungus ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Ecological Immunology ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Phenoloxidase Activity ◽  
Enhanced Resistance ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Indirect Measures ◽  
Mealworm Beetle

SUMMARYEcological immunology is based upon the notion that activation and use of the immune system is costly and should thus be traded off against other energy-demanding aspects of life history. Most of the studies on insects that have examined the possibility that mating results in trade-offs with immunity have shown that mating has immunosuppressive effects. The connection between mating and immunity has traditionally been investigated using indirect measures of immunity. However, studies that have assessed the effects of mating on the resistance against real pathogens have had conflicting results. A previous study on Tenebrio molitor showed that copulation decreases phenoloxidase activity in the haemolymph, and concluded that copulation corrupts immunity in this species. In the present study we tested whether mating also affects the ability of T. molitor to resist the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana. Interestingly, we found that mating enhanced resistance against the fungal infection and that the effect was stronger on males than females. Furthermore, we found that male beetles were overall more susceptible to the fungal infection than were females, indicating an immunological sex difference in immunity. Our study highlights the importance of the use of real pathogens and parasites in immuno-ecological studies.

Current immunity markers in insect ecological immunology: assumed trade-offs and methodological issues

2012 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Moreno-García ◽  
A. Córdoba-Aguilar ◽  
R. Condé ◽  
H. Lanz-Mendoza
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Evolutionary Ecology ◽  
Nitric Oxide Production ◽  
Ecological Immunology ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Phenoloxidase Activity ◽  
Capsule Formation ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Physiologically Based ◽  
Shed Light

AbstractThe field of ecological immunology currently relies on using a number of immune effectors or markers. These markers are usually used to infer ecological trade-offs (via conflicts in resource allocation), though physiological nature of these markers remains elusive. Here, we review markers frequently used in insect evolutionary ecology research: cuticle darkening, haemocyte density, nodule/capsule formation, phagocytosis and encapsulation/melanization via use of nylon filaments and beads, phenoloxidase activity, nitric oxide production, lysozyme and antimicrobial peptide production. We also provide physiologically based information that may shed light on the probable trade-offs inferred when these markers are used. In addition, we provide a number of methodological suggestions to improve immune marker assessment.

scholarly journals Female preferences when female condition and male ornament expression vary

2019 ◽  
Vol 128 (4) ◽  
pp. 828-837
Author(s):  
Alicia Reyes-Ramírez ◽  
Maya Rocha-Ortega ◽  
Alex Córdoba-Aguilar
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Mate Preferences ◽  
Female Preferences ◽  
Female Condition ◽  
Mealworm Beetle ◽  
Male Ornaments ◽  
Male Ornament

Abstract Variation in the condition of females can affect their mate preferences. This may explain variation in the expression of male ornaments. We tested these ideas in the mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor), a species in which females choose males based on their pheromones. We modified female condition using diets that differed in proteins and carbohydrates. We then allowed females to choose among males in which we had previously modified pheromone expression (either by varying diets as in females, or by fungal infection). Females were offered a choice between two males, both of which had been fed the same diet as the female, but which differed in whether they were infected or not. We repeated the same diet and infection treatments to determine whether poor (lower carbohydrate) diets decrease survival in both sexes. There was no effect of female diet on mate choice, but the infection state of the male did have an effect, with infected males being preferred. It is possible that infected males invest their resources in producing pheromones rather than attacking the pathogen. Both sexes, independent of infection, had higher survival when fed carbohydrate-rich diets. The results showed no effect of female condition on their preferences, at least not prior to copulation.

scholarly journals A constitutively expressed antifungal peptide protects Tenebrio molitor during a natural infection by the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sevasti Maistrou ◽  
Véronique Paris ◽  
Annette B. Jensen ◽  
Jens Rolff ◽  
Nicolai V. Meyling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beauveria Bassiana ◽  
Entomopathogenic Fungus ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Defense Mechanism ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Antifungal Peptides ◽  
Mealworm Beetle ◽  
Fungus Beauveria Bassiana

Antimicrobial peptides have been well studied in the context of bacterial infections. Antifungal peptides have received comparatively less attention. Fungal pathogens of insects and their hosts represent a unique opportunity to study host-pathogen interactions due to the million of years of co-evolution they share. In this study, we investigated role of a constitutively expressed thaumatin-like peptide with antifungal activity expressed by the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor, named Tenecin 3, during a natural infection with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. We monitored the effect of the expression of Tenecin 3 on the survival of infected hosts as well as on the progression of the fungal infection inside the host. Finally, we tested the activity of Tenecin 3 against B. bassiana. These findings could help improving biocontrol strategies and help understanding the evolution of antifungal peptides as a defense mechanism.

scholarly journals A possible role of tachykinin-related peptide on an immune system activity of mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor L.

2021 ◽  
Vol 120 ◽  
pp. 104065
Author(s):  
A. Urbański ◽  
N. Konopińska ◽  
J. Lubawy ◽  
K. Walkowiak-Nowicka ◽  
P. Marciniak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
System Activity ◽  
Related Peptide ◽  
Mealworm Beetle

Head movements of the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor

1980 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Varj� ◽  
J. Bolz
Keyword(s):  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Head Movements ◽  
Mealworm Beetle

scholarly journals The Humidity Behaviour of the Mealworm Beetle, Tenebrio Molitor L

1940 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-306
Author(s):  
D. P. PIELOU
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Work ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Locomotory Activity ◽  
Gradual Reduction ◽  
Quantitative Distribution ◽  
Mealworm Beetle ◽  
Maxillary Palps ◽  
Humidity Reaction

1. Removal of both antennae of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, completely abolishes the animal's reaction to humidity. Removal of both maxillary palps has no effect on the reaction. 2. The quantitative distribution of the five types of sensillae present along the eleven segments of the antenna is described. Two of these types occur also on the maxillary palps. 3. Progressive symmetrical amputation of antennal segments leads to a gradual reduction of the humidity reaction to zero; there is a reaction with four segments remaining on each side and no reaction when only three segments remain. 4. Asymmetrical amputation of the more basal segments shows that humidity receptors are nevertheless present on these and that a threshold number of sensillae must be left in action before a reaction occurs. 5. The experimental work, taken in combination with observations in the distribution of sensillae, shows that the pit peg organs are hygro-receptive. Either the peg organs or the bristles or both are hygro-receptive as well. It is, however, unlikely that the bristles are hygro-receptive. 6. Experimental work on the locomotory activity of this beetle shows that the conclusions are not invalidated by any general ill effects of amputation of antennae. 7. It is suggested that the hygro-receptors function hygroscopically.

Ecological immunology

2021 ◽  
pp. 109-142
Author(s):  
Paul Schmid-Hempel
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Natural Selection ◽  
Ecological Immunology ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Response Delay ◽  
Genetic Covariance ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Immunological Factors ◽  
Immune Defences

Infections and parasite loads vary among hosts. Variation results from ecological, genetic, and immunological factors. Immune defences provide benefits as well as costs and are, therefore, a compromise. Costs result from trade-offs with other needs and can be genetically encoded or plastic (i.e. can change depending on circumstances). Costs are physiological (e.g. energy consumption) or based on evolved genetic covariance. Self-damage (immunopathology) is a further, important cost. Natural selection should optimize the costs and benefits of defences and thus leads to various outcomes in terms of specificity, response delay and strength, or the formation of memory. Moreover, hosts can either resist an infection by eventual clearance, or tolerate the consequences of parasitism.

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