scholarly journals Social signals mediate oviposition site selection in Drosophila suzukii

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna E. Elsensohn ◽  
Marwa F. K. Aly ◽  
Coby Schal ◽  
Hannah J. Burrack

AbstractThe information that female insects perceive and use during oviposition site selection is complex and varies by species and ecological niche. Even in relatively unexploited niches, females interact directly and indirectly with conspecifics at oviposition sites. These interactions can take the form of host marking and re-assessment of prior oviposition sites during the decision-making process. Considerable research has focused on the niche breadth and host preference of the polyphagous invasive pest Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), but little information exists on how conspecific signals modulate oviposition behavior. We investigated three layers of social information that female D. suzukii may use in oviposition site selection—(1) pre-existing egg density, (2) pre-existing larval occupation, and (3) host marking by adults. We found that the presence of larvae and host marking, but not egg density, influenced oviposition behavior and that the two factors interacted over time. Adult marking appeared to deter oviposition only in the presence of an unmarked substrate. These results are the first behavioral evidence for a host marking pheromone in a species of Drosophila. These findings may also help elucidate D. suzukii infestation and preference patterns within crop fields and natural areas.

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1466
Author(s):  
Caroline M. Nieberding ◽  
Matteo Marcantonio ◽  
Raluca Voda ◽  
Thomas Enriquez ◽  
Bertanne Visser

Research on social learning has centered around vertebrates, but evidence is accumulating that small-brained, non-social arthropods also learn from others. Social learning can lead to social inheritance when socially acquired behaviors are transmitted to subsequent generations. Using oviposition site selection, a critical behavior for most arthropods, as an example, we first highlight the complementarities between social and classical genetic inheritance. We then discuss the relevance of studying social learning and transmission in non-social arthropods and document known cases in the literature, including examples of social learning from con- and hetero-specifics. We further highlight under which conditions social learning can be adaptive or not. We conclude that non-social arthropods and the study of oviposition behavior offer unparalleled opportunities to unravel the importance of social learning and inheritance for animal evolution.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Feng Chuang ◽  
Nien-Tse Fuh ◽  
Sinlan Poo ◽  
Yeong-Choy Kam

Abstract Oviposition sites selected by parents is an important factor that affects offspring survival and parental fitness. A good nest site offers offspring protection from competition, predation, and harsh environmental conditions. In amphibians, though oviposition sites are generally determined by females, the distinction between male and female choice can be blurred in species with resource defense mating systems, where males occupy the territory that eggs are deposited before advertising for females. Using a phytotelm-breeding frog (Kurixalus eiffingeri) with male territoriality and biparental care, we examined 310 oviposition sites to determine (1) male choice based on physical characteristics of the site (stump height, inner diameter, stump depth, water depth), and (2) female choice based on site characteristics and male characteristics (snout-vent length and body condition). We hypothesized that either one or both sexes would select oviposition site based on characteristics correlate with higher offspring survivorship. We found that males preferred sites with deeper pools of water, while females showed no preference for sites or males based on the characteristics observed. While we cannot prove any nest traits directly benefit offspring, we contend that increased water depth within the phytotelm may 1) protect male frog from snake predation, which would allow for continued paternal care that increases the hatching success and 2) improve the offspring survival during the larval period. Our findings provide empirical evidence of male-driven oviposition site selection in an amphibian and highlight often overlooked role that males play in increasing their reproductive output by selecting for sites that benefit their offspring.


2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunho Suh ◽  
Dong-Hwan Choe ◽  
Ahmed M Saveer ◽  
Laurence J Zwiebel

Selection of oviposition sites by gravid females is a critical behavioural preference in the reproductive cycle ofAnopheles gambiae, the principal Afrotropical malaria vector mosquito. Several studies suggest this decision is mediated by semiochemicals associated with potential oviposition sites. To better understand the chemosensory basis of this behaviour and identify compounds that can modulate oviposition, we examined the generally held hypothesis that suboptimal larval habitats give rise to semiochemicals that negatively influence the oviposition preference of gravid females. Dual-choice bioassays indicated that oviposition sites conditioned in this manner do indeed foster significant and concentration dependent aversive effects on the oviposition site selection of gravid females. Headspace analyses derived from aversive habitats consistently noted the presence of dimethyl disulphide (DMDS), dimethyl trisulphide (DMTS) and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (sulcatone) each of which unitarily affectedAn. gambiaeoviposition preference. Electrophysiological assays across the antennae, maxillary palp, and labellum of gravidAn. gambiaerevealed differential responses to these semiochemicals. Taken together, these findings validate the hypothesis in question and suggest that suboptimal environments forAn. gambiaelarval development results in the release of DMDS, DMTS and sulcatone that impact the response valence of gravid females to directly modulate the chemical ecology of oviposition site selection.


2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 699-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.J. Goldberg ◽  
S. Quinzio ◽  
M. Vaira

Oviposition-site selection plays an important role in the reproductive success of amphibians. In unpredictable environments where resources vary within a season, amphibians should select oviposition sites using parameters that can be easily evaluated, or spawn in several ponds to increase offspring survival. Melanophryniscus rubriventris (Vellard, 1947) uses shallow ephemeral ponds in an unpredictable montane-forest environment. During 40 consecutive days, we surveyed potential spawning sites and measured several biotic and abiotic factors to determine if any of these factors influenced breeding-site selection. We also described the spawning behavior of this species. Water temperature and pond level (flooded or not) were significant predictors of whether a pond was used or not. Warmer ponds would permit accelerated development of larvae in habitats where ponds are ephemeral and their presence unpredictable. Because of the short and unpredictable hydroperiods, it will be better to select a pond full of water instead of evaluating other pond characteristics that can be very variable. Mating pairs spread several egg masses to different sites but in the same pond. This behavior is likely a consequence of pairs avoiding interactions with intruding males and not as a strategy to enhance offspring survival.


1984 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. Gerber ◽  
D. U. Sabourin

AbstractOviposition site selection by Tenebrio molitor L. was studied in cylindrical cages 10 cm in diameter × 28 cm in height using females up to 16 days old. Oviposition site selection is not a haphazard process. The adults are surface dwellers and the females normally enter the foodstuff to oviposit. The distance travelled into the foodstuff was age-related; the females went gradually deeper until the 9th day after eclosion. Physical and chemical factors (i.e. type and quality of foodstuff) and biological factors (i.e. adult density and presence of T. molitor eggs and larvae) were assessed when oviposition sites were selected by this insect. The females attempted to avoid poor quality food when selecting oviposition sites and usually laid fewer eggs and died sooner when poor quality food was present. As adult density increased, the females went deeper to oviposit. The females also went deeper to oviposit when eggs and larvae were present, but the effects of eggs and larvae were small and there seemed to be threshold densities as far as both factors were concerned. The behavioural significance of the data is discussed.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline M. Nieberding ◽  
Matteo Marcantonio ◽  
Raluca Voda ◽  
Thomas Enriquez ◽  
Bertanne Visser

Research on social learning has centered around vertebrates, but evidence is accumulating that small-brained, non-social arthropods also learn from others. Social learning can lead to social inheritance when socially acquired behaviors are transmitted to subsequent generations. Here, we first highlight the complementarities between social and classical genetic inheritance, using oviposition site selection, a behavior critical for many non-social arthropods, as a hypothetical example. We then discuss the relevance of studying social learning and transmission in non-social arthropods and document known cases in the literature, including examples of social learning from con and hetero-specifics. We subsequently highlight under which conditions social learning can be adaptive or not. We conclude that non-social arthropods and the study of oviposition behavior offer unparalleled opportunities to increase our understanding of social learning and inheritance.


1997 ◽  
Vol 129 (6) ◽  
pp. 1173-1176 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Y. Onyabe ◽  
Bernard D. Roitberg

AbstractTwo opposing hypotheses are tested regarding the choice of oviposition sites by female Aedes togoi (Theobold) mosquitoes: (i) conspecific avoidance—females discriminate against sites harboring conspecifics to reduce intraspecific competition for their offspring and (ii) conspecific attraction—females prefer sites with conspecifics because their presence indicates suitable conditions for larvae. Under laboratory conditions, A. togoi females laid many more eggs on rearing water (LRW) containing conspecific larvae, their waste, bacteria, and food supplements than on rearing water alone (RM). In another experiment, females showed an oviposition preference for LRW sites that were devoid of A. togoi eggs compared with those harboring 50 (0.3 eggs/mL) conspecific eggs. Further, it was discovered that females laid their eggs at several sites rather than at a single suitable site. Possible reasons for such choices are discussed.


1989 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. McPherson ◽  
D. J. Donahue ◽  
S. L. Poe

The oviposition site selection of Tetranychus urticae Koch in response to fenvalerate and permethrin residues on soybeans was examined in the laboratory. Five leaf treatment regimes were evaluated on potted soybeans (half-area vs. whole area and partial coverage vs. complete coverage) plus a distilled water control. Over 95% of the eggs were deposited on untreated halves of leaflets on which the other half was treated with either fenvalerate or permethin. Similar oviposition behavior was observed for both partial spray coverage, ca. 10% of the leaf area, or total coverage of the treated half leaflet. Over 95% of the eggs were observed on the leaf surface in the control, whereas, 40% and 30% of the eggs were suspended off the leaf surface that was totally covered with permethrin and fenvalerate, respectively. No differences were observed in the vertical distributions of eggs between control, and the permethrin and fenvalerate half-leaf treatments. More than 95% of the total eggs were observed on the leaf surface; however, few eggs were laid on the leaflet half containing the pyrethroid residue.


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