Sodium addition increases leaf herbivory and fungal damage across four grasslands

Abstract The endemic Mauritian flying fox Pteropus niger is perceived to be a major fruit pest. Lobbying of the Government of Mauritius by fruit growers to control the flying fox population resulted in national culls in 2015 and 2016, with a further cull scheduled for 2018. A loss of c. 38,318 individuals has been reported and the species is now categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. However, until now there were no robust data available on damage to orchards caused by bats. During October 2015–February 2016 we monitored four major lychee Litchi chinensis and one mango (Mangifera spp.) orchard, and also assessed 10 individual longan Dimocarpus longan trees. Bats and introduced birds caused major damage to fruit, with 7–76% fruit loss (including natural fall and losses from fungal damage) per tree. Bats caused more damage to taller lychee trees (> 6 m high) than to smaller ones, whereas bird damage was independent of tree height. Bats damaged more fruit than birds in tall lychee trees, although this trend was reversed in small trees. Use of nets on fruiting trees can result in as much as a 23-fold reduction in the damage caused by bats if nets are applied correctly. There is still a need to monitor orchards over several seasons and to test non-lethal bat deterrence methods more widely.

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Effects of leaf herbivory on the bromeliad Aechmea blanchetiana: a study of selective feeding by the scraper Acentroptera pulchella

Acta Botanica Brasilica ◽

10.1590/s0102-33062012000400024 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 944-952 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Noa Magalhães ◽

Lucas Bevilaqua Ferreira ◽

Gilda Leitão ◽

André Mantovani

Keyword(s):

Feeding Pattern ◽

Total Phenol Content ◽

Apical Region ◽

Selective Feeding ◽

Potential Influence ◽

Nitrogen Levels ◽

Defensive Strategies ◽

Young Leaves ◽

Nutritional Benefits ◽

Leaf Herbivory

The scraper Acentroptera pulchella (Chrysomelidae, Hispinae) feeds on the leaves of Aechmea blanchetiana (Bromeliaceae), but not indiscriminately. This insect apparently concentrates its attack on the apical region of the intermediate leaves from the bromeliad tank. To characterise the potential influence of leaf defensive strategies on the intraspecific feeding pattern of A. pulchella on the leaves of the bromeliad A. blanchetiana, we quantified the apparent intraspecific preference of this feeding pattern; compared distinct leaves and portions in relation to morpho-physiological, mechanical, nutritional and chemical anti-herbivore strategies; and investigated whether some or all these defensive strategies help explain the observed feeding pattern. A. pulchella preferentially attacked the mid-upper portions of mature and adult leaves of A. blanchetiana, but not the mid-lower portions of the same leaves, which are more resistant to punch, are thicker and present less nitrogen content than the upper portions. However, soft young leaves were not attacked. Attacked portions also presented higher total phenol content than did non-attacked portions, indicating that phenols do not act defensively. Other morpho-physiological and chemical anti-herbivore strategies evaluated did not differ between portions and leaves. This herbivore feeds preferentially on leaf portions that have higher nitrogen levels, avoiding others that present increased punch resistance. The scraper A. pulchella exhibits a clearly selective feeding pattern that is driven by nutritional benefits rather than strictly mechanical or chemical anti-herbivore strategies.

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Effects of insularity on insect leaf herbivory and chemical defences in a Mediterranean oak species

Journal of Biogeography ◽

10.1111/jbi.13589 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 46 (6) ◽

pp. 1226-1233 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Xoaquín Moreira ◽

Bastien Castagneyrol ◽

Raúl Mata ◽

Nikolaos M. Fyllas ◽

Andrea Galmán ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Defences ◽

Leaf Herbivory

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Temporal Interactions between Root-Lesion Nematodes and the Fungus Rhizoctonia Solani Lead to Reduced Potato Yield

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9070361 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 361 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eva Edin ◽

Mehreen Gulsher ◽

Mikael Andersson Franko ◽

Jan-Eric Englund ◽

Adam Flöhr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rhizoctonia Solani ◽

Tuber Yield ◽

Pathogenic Fungus ◽

Stem Canker ◽

Fungal Mycelium ◽

Lesion Nematodes ◽

Fungal Damage ◽

Root Lesion Nematodes ◽

Temporal Interactions ◽

Potato Crops

Soil microorganisms and soil fauna may have a large impact on the tuber yield of potato crops. The interaction between root-lesion nematodes and the pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani Kühn was studied on potato plants grown in pots under controlled conditions. In two similar experiments, different combinations of nematodes and fungal mycelium were added to the pots at three occasions; at planting, after 14 days, and after 28 days. The nematodes reduced root biomass and the combination of nematodes and R. solani resulted in reduced tuber yield in both experiments, but the interaction was not synergistic. In contrast, the number of stem canker lesions decreased in the presence of nematodes compared to treatments with R. solani only. The time of inoculation influenced the severity of both fungal and nematode damage. The nematode damage on tubers was less severe if the nematodes were added at 28 days, while the number of severe stem canker lesions increased if the fungus was added at 28 days. However, the time of nematode inoculation did not affect the incidence of fungal damage, hence the nematodes did not assist R. solani to infect the plant. Our results highlight the underestimated importance of root-lesion nematodes, not resulting in obvious above ground symptoms or misshaped tubers yet affecting the performance of other pathogens.

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