scholarly journals Fitness Consequences of Oviposition Choice by an Herbivorous Insect on a Host Plant Colonized by an Endophytic Entomopathogenic Fungus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Zhu ◽  
Jun Fu ◽  
Han Wang ◽  
Michael J. Bidochka ◽  
Mingyi Duan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Oviposition Behavior ◽  
Herbivorous Insect ◽  
Oviposition Choice ◽  
Offspring Performance ◽  
Corn Borer ◽  
Plant Nitrogen ◽  
Oviposition Preferences ◽  
Plant Volatile ◽  
Fitness Consequences

Abstract Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), often considered as a bioinsecticide, are also able to colonize and establish a symbiotic relationship with plants as an endophyte. Recent studies demonstrated that endophytic EPF can enhance plant growth and are antagonistic to fungal pathogens. These newly emerging, but not yet fully understood, ecological roles suggest the possibility that EPF may further mediate oviposition preferences and offspring performance of an herbivorous insect. However, such EPF-mediated effects and underlying mechanisms are largely unexplored. Here, we examined the hypothesis that the endophytic EPF Beauveria bassiana can modulate oviposition behavior of the Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis. We observed that O. furnacalis females preferred to lay eggs on B. bassiana inoculated maize plants. This is likely attributed to the net effects of plant volatile profiles induced by B. bassiana, with an increase in emitted amount of insect-attractive compounds 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and 3-hexen-1-ol and a decrease in insect-repellent compounds β-caryophyllene, naphthalene, and α-pinene. This finding provides an example of EPF-induced plant volatile-mediated interaction between plants and insects. However, fewer O. furnacalis larvae, pupae, and adults survived on the oviposition-preferred maize possibly due to lower plant nitrogen content. These results indicated that oviposition selection by O. furnacalis did not reflect the maximization of offspring fitness following B. bassiana inoculation. We suggest that fitness consequences of oviposition preferences should be considered when incorporating EPF as a biopesticide and as a potential biofertilizer within an integrated pest management programs.

Effects of water deficiency on preference and performance of an insect herbivore Ostrinia furnacalis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
M.Y. Duan ◽  
H. Zhu ◽  
H. Wang ◽  
S.Y. Guo ◽  
H. Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Driving Forces ◽  
Oviposition Preference ◽  
Precipitation Pattern ◽  
Ostrinia Furnacalis ◽  
Oviposition Choice ◽  
Offspring Performance ◽  
Corn Borer ◽  
Limited Mobility ◽  
Offspring Fitness ◽  
And Performance

Abstract With further climate change still expected, it is predicted to increase the frequency with plants will be water stressed, which subsequently influences phytophagous insects, particularly Lepidoptera with limited mobility of larvae. Previous studies have indicated that oviposition preference and offspring performance of Lepidoptera insects are sensitive to drought separately. However, the integration of their two properties is not always seen. Here, we evaluated changes in oviposition selection and offspring fitness of a Lepidoptera insect under three water-stressed treatments using a model agroecosystem consisting of maize Zea mays, and Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis. Results found that female O. furnacalis preferred to laying their eggs on well-watered maize, and then their offspring tended to survive better, attained bigger larvae mass, and developed more pupae and adults on the preferred maize. Oviposition selection of O. furnacalis positively correlated with height and leaf traits of maize, and offspring fitness positively related with water content and phytochemical traits of hosts. Overall, these results suggest that oviposition choice performed by O. furnacalis reflects the maximization of offspring fitness, supporting preference–performance hypothesis. This finding further highlights that the importance of simultaneous evaluation of performance and performance for water driving forces should be involved, in order to accurately predict population size of O. furnacalis under altered precipitation pattern.

scholarly journals Oviposition Preferences and Behavior of Wild-Caught and Laboratory-Reared Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), in Relation to Substrate Particle Size

Insects ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Manley ◽  
Michael Melzer ◽  
Helen Spafford
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Oviposition Behavior ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Oryctes Rhinoceros ◽  
Rhinoceros Beetle ◽  
Oviposition Preferences ◽  
Choice Tests ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Substrate Particle

The coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), Oryctes rhinoceros (L.) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), has become one of the most important coconut and oil palm pests. This species was detected attacking coconut palms on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi in December 2013, and an eradication program was initiated. One of the major challenges for eradication has been the identification of new breeding sites. Information on the factors influencing oviposition is needed to aid in finding sites likely to host the immature stages of this insect. In this study, a series of choice tests were conducted to assess the oviposition preferences of both laboratory-reared and wild-caught CRB. Mated females, of both lab-reared and wild-caught beetles, were offered for oviposition a choice between sand and two mulch substrates, one with small and one with large particle sizes. Both types of CRB laid eggs preferentially in substrate of small particle size rather than large and none laid eggs in sand. Lab-reared and wild-caught CRB differed in their oviposition behavior and size. These results can be used to aid in the identification of breeding sites for management programs and eradication efforts.

scholarly journals Interactions between Two Biological Control Agents on Lygodium microphyllum

Insects ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Ian Jones ◽  
Ellen Lake
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Oviposition Behavior ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Biological Control Agents ◽  
Oviposition Choice ◽  
Choice Tests ◽  
Feeding Trials ◽  
Antagonistic Interactions ◽  
Over Time

Lygodium microphyllum (Lygodiaceae) is an invasive climbing fern in peninsular Florida. Two classical biological control agents are currently being released against L. microphyllum: a leaf galling mite, Floracarus perrepae (Acariformes: Eriophyidae), and a moth, Neomusotima conspurcatalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Little is known about how the two species interact in the field; thus we conducted oviposition choice tests to determine the effects of F. perrepae presence on oviposition behavior in N. conspurcatalis. Further, we conducted feeding trials with N. conspurcatalis larvae to establish the effects of gall presence on larval survival and rate of development, and determine whether N. conspurcatalis larvae would directly consume F. perrepae galls. Neomusotima conspurcatalis laid significantly more eggs on mite galled (52.66 ± 6.211) versus ungalled (34.40 ± 5.587) L. microphyllum foliage. Feeding trials revealed higher mortality in N. conspurcatalis larvae raised on galled (60%) versus ungalled (36%) L. microphyllum material. In gall feeding trials, N. conspurcatalis larvae consumed or damaged 13.52% of galls, and the rate of direct gall feeding increased over time as leaf resources were depleted. Our results suggest that, where N. conspurcatalis and F. perrepae co-occur, competitive interactions could be more frequent than previously anticipated; however, we do not expect these antagonistic interactions to affect the establishment of either agent.

Influence of wild, local and cultivated tobacco varieties on the oviposition preference and offspring performance of Spodoptera litura

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Xiaohong Li ◽  
Zhiyou Huang ◽  
Xianjun Yang ◽  
Shaolong Wu
Keyword(s):  
Spodoptera Litura ◽  
Oviposition Preference ◽  
Pupal Stage ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Hunan Province ◽  
Pupal Weight ◽  
Offspring Performance ◽  
Local Varieties ◽  
Oviposition Preferences ◽  
Emergence Rate

Abstract The influences of different plants on herbivores have recently attracted research interest; however, little is known regarding the effects of wild, local and cultivated varieties of the same plant from the same origin on herbivores. This study aimed to examine the effects of different tobacco varieties from the same origin on the oviposition preference and offspring performance of Spodoptera litura. We selected two wild (‘Bishan wild tobacco’ and ‘Badan wild tobacco’), two local (‘Liangqiao sun-cured tobacco’ and ‘Shuangguan sun-cured tobacco’) and two cultivated (‘Xiangyan No. 5’ and ‘Cunsanpi’) tobacco varieties from Hunan Province, China. We found that female S. litura varied in oviposition preferences across the tobacco varieties. They preferred to lay eggs on the cultivated varieties, followed by the local varieties, with the wild varieties being the least preferred. Furthermore, different tobacco varieties significantly influenced the life history parameters of S. litura. Survival rate, pupal weight, emergence rate and adult dry weight decreased in the following order: cultivated varieties > local varieties > wild varieties. Conversely, the pupal stage and development period decreased in the following order: wild varieties > local varieties > cultivated varieties. Therefore, we conclude that wild tobacco varieties have higher resistance to S. litura than cultivated and local varieties, reflecting the evolutionary advantages of wild tobacco varieties.

scholarly journals Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis Guenee) oviposition preferences on maize (Zea mays Linn), king grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.), and cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica (L.)

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Yosefus F. Da-Lopez ◽  
Y. Andi Trisyono ◽  
Witjaksono Witjaksono
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Oviposition Preference ◽  
Imperata Cylindrica ◽  
Choice Test ◽  
Panicum Maximum ◽  
Ostrinia Furnacalis ◽  
Alternate Host ◽  
Corn Borer ◽  
Oviposition Preferences

<p>Insects’ oviposition behavior on alternate host plants is very helpful to understand the interaction between host plants and insects, the dynamics of insect populations, and the effectiveness of alternate host plants as refugia in managing insect resistance. The oviposition preference of <em>Ostrinia furnacalis</em> on maize (<em>Zea mays</em> L), king grass (<em>Panicum maximum</em> Jacq.), and cogon grass (<em>Imperata cylindrica</em> (L.) was studied through no-choice test, two-choice test, and three-choice test. The oviposition preferences hierarchy of <em>O. furnacalis</em> on maize, king grass, and cogon grass wass sequentially maize &gt; king grass &gt; cogon grass when the tested plants were at 21 DAP (days after planting). However, the hierarchy pattern may change depending on host plants phenology. The 35-day-old king grass was more preferred by <em>O. furnacalis</em> (proportion of eggs = 0.692; OPI = 37.57) than maize (proportion of eggs = 0.301; OPI = -38.780) and cogon grass (proportion of eggs = 0.174; OPI = -65.183) for oviposition. These findings indicated that king grass was a potential alternate host for <em>O. furnacalis </em>to survive and could serve as refugia in IRM strategy. However, it needs further research in the field to ensure the potential of king grass as refugia for <em>O. furnacalis.</em></p>

scholarly journals The Role of Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization on the Feeding Behavior of European Corn Borer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankica Sarajlić ◽  
Emilija Raspudić ◽  
Zdenko Lončarić ◽  
Marko Josipović ◽  
Ivana Majić
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilization ◽  
European Corn Borer ◽  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Nitrogen Adsorption ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Larval Feeding ◽  
Corn Borer ◽  
Plant Nitrogen ◽  
Fertilization Rates ◽  
Nitrogen Concentrations

European corn borer (ECB) creates tunnels inside the plant stalks, causing damage, which could significantly decrease yield loss. This study aimed to determine the relationship between damage caused by ECB larval feeding and different irrigation and nitrogen fertilization rates on different maize genotypes. We conducted a field experiment in Croatia from 2012 to 2014. Increased plant nitrogen adsorption was observed under irrigation only in drought years, and it was decreased in optimal or extremely wet years. We found a weak or a moderate relationship between ECB damage and nitrogen concentration, but the greatest ECB damage was in all years recorded in treatments with the highest fertilization rates. However, the highest plant nitrogen concentration was observed in the hybrid with the lowest damage from ECB larvae. The maize damage caused by ECB larval feeding was negatively affected by high plant nitrogen concentrations only when plants were under drought stress. Nitrogen uptake was increased in irrigated plots. We did not find a strong relationship between the C/N ratio or irrigation and intensity of ECB damage. In 2012, when the narrowest C/N ratio was calculated, the greatest damage by ECB was measured. Further studies are needed since we detected the significant impact of drought on intensive ECB larval feeding.

scholarly journals Foraging behaviour of an egg parasitoid exploiting plant volatiles induced by pentatomids: the role of adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Frati ◽  
Antonino Cusumano ◽  
Eric Conti ◽  
Stefano Colazza ◽  
Ezio Peri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Volatiles ◽  
Egg Parasitoid ◽  
Herbivorous Insect ◽  
Abaxial Surface ◽  
Plant Volatile ◽  
Walking Activity ◽  
Leaf Surfaces ◽  
Insect Attack ◽  
Plant Treatment

Several phases of herbivorous insect attack including feeding and oviposition are known to induce plant defenses. Plants emit volatiles induced by herbivores to recruit insect parasitoids as an indirect defense strategy. So far, volatiles induced by herbivore walking and their putative role in the foraging behavior of egg parasitoids have not been investigated. In this paper we studied the response of the egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis toward volatiles emitted by Vicia faba plants as consequence of the walking activity of the host Nezara viridula. Olfactometer bioassays were carried out to evaluate wasp responses to plants in which the abaxial or the adaxial surfaces were subjected to walking or/and oviposition. Results showed that host female walking on the abaxial but not on the adaxial surface caused a repellence effect in T. basalis 24 h after plant treatment. The emission of active volatiles also occurred when the leaf was turned upside-down, indicating a specificity of stress localization. This specificity was supported by the results, which showed that oviposition combined with feeding elicit the induction of plant volatiles, attracting the parasitoid, when the attack occurred on the abaxial surface. Analyses of plant volatile blends showed significant differences between the treatments.

scholarly journals Facilitation and inhibition: changes in plant nitrogen and secondary metabolites mediate interactions between above-ground and below-ground herbivores

2013 ◽  
Vol 280 (1767) ◽  
pp. 20131318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Huang ◽  
Evan Siemann ◽  
Xuefang Yang ◽  
Gregory S. Wheeler ◽  
Jianqing Ding
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Adult Survival ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Larval Feeding ◽  
Offspring Performance ◽  
Plant Nitrogen ◽  
Primary And Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Insect Interactions

To date, it remains unclear how herbivore-induced changes in plant primary and secondary metabolites impact above-ground and below-ground herbivore interactions. Here, we report effects of above-ground (adult) and below-ground (larval) feeding by Bikasha collaris on nitrogen and secondary chemicals in shoots and roots of Triadica sebifera to explain reciprocal above-ground and below-ground insect interactions. Plants increased root tannins with below-ground herbivory, but above-ground herbivory prevented this increase and larval survival doubled. Above-ground herbivory elevated root nitrogen, probably contributing to increased larval survival. However, plants increased foliar tannins with above-ground herbivory and below-ground herbivory amplified this increase, and adult survival decreased. As either foliar or root tannins increased, foliar flavonoids decreased, suggesting a trade-off between these chemicals. Together, these results show that plant chemicals mediate contrasting effects of conspecific larval and adult insects, whereas insects may take advantage of plant responses to facilitate their offspring performance, which may influence population dynamics.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document