Impact of feeding experiences on oviposition and sex allocation of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Feeding experiences of predators during immature and adult stages may impact females’ reproduction. In the present study, we investigated reproductive performances of Neoseiulus californicus when both parents had different feeding experiences on Tetranychus urticae and Frankliniella occidentalis. Female and male immatures fed on either prey species. Each newly emerged female adult individually mated with a male had either the same or different feeding experience. Prey for mated females were either same as or different from that consumed during their immature stages. Therefore, eight reproductive treatments were created. The highest cumulative fecundity (57.5±3.3 eggs/female) was observed when both female and male fed on T. urticae with the lowest fecundity (34.2±2.7 eggs/female) observed when the parents fed on F. occidentalis. Daily fecundity and oviposition duration were mainly affected by prey of mated females. Mated females preyed on T. urticae had 56.6% higher daily fecundity and 22.3% shorter oviposition duration than those preyed on F. occidentalis. No significant difference in offspring sex ratio and egg hatch rate was detected between treatments. About 88% of the first-laid eggs developed to males. Impact of prey species consumed by male immatures was only observed on pre-oviposition duration. The average pre-oviposition duration of females who mated with males fed on T. urticae in their immaturity was 33.0% shorter than those females who mated with males fed on F. occidentalis in their immaturity. Results of the present study are valuable in optimizing N. californicus field release strategies, and will help further investigations into the nutritional requirements of this species.

The differential role of practical and emotional support in infant feeding experience in the UK

Social support is a known determinant of breastfeeding behaviour and is generally considered beneficial. However, social support encompasses a myriad of different supportive acts, providing scope for diverse infant feeding outcomes. Given the vulnerability of postpartum mental health, this paper aims to explore both how support prolongs breastfeeding and which forms of support promote the positive experience of all infant feeding. Using survey data collected online from 515 UK mothers with infants aged 0–108 weeks, Cox regression models assessed the relationship between receiving different types of support, support need and breastfeeding duration. Quasi-binomial logistic regression models assessed the relationship between receiving support, infant feeding mode and maternal experience of infant feeding. Rates of negative infant feeding experience indicate the widespread need for support: e.g. 38% of currently, 47% of no longer and 31% of never breastfeeding women found infant feeding stressful. Overall, practical support via infant feeding broadly predicted shorter breastfeeding durations and poorer feeding experience; results in relation to other forms of support were more complex. Our findings indicate different forms of support have different associations with infant feeding experience. They also highlight the wide range of individuals beyond the nuclear family on which postpartum mothers in the UK rely. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Multidisciplinary perspectives on social support and maternal–child health’.

Assisted Nursing: A Case Study of An Infant With a Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

Background This case presents a mother’s feeding experience of an infant born with a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate from birth until both were repaired. She fed him directly at the breast with assistance, controlling the delivery of the mother’s own milk. The infant received only his mother’s own milk, no bottles, and the excess expressed milk was donated to a milk bank. Main issue The Cleft Team supported the mother’s wish to breastfeed but expressed realism that cleft lip and palate infants could not create suction. Success had never been observed in the unit. Instead, the team suggested expressing to deliver as much of the mother’s own milk. The mother had previously breastfed her three children and was keen on finding innovative ways to breastfeed. Management Several techniques were trialed with the help of an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. The most sustainable and successful was the use of a nipple shield applied to the maternal nipple areola complex to cover the lip palate. Underneath, a nasogastric tube connected to a syringe delivered the mother’s own milk. Exclusive expressing protected maternal supply, the infant’s nutrition and growth were monitored carefully and this technique reinforced mother–infant bonding. Conclusion Feeding with the modifications was challenging at times. However, maternal satisfaction was high because the mother had achieved her goal of breastfeeding without assistance post cheiloplasty and palatoplasty. This case adds to the limited body of research about feeding infants with cleft lips and palates directly at the breast.

The Differential Role of Practical and Emotional Support in Infant Feeding Experience in the UK

Social support is a known determinant of breastfeeding behaviour and is generally considered beneficial. However, social support encompasses a myriad of different supportive acts, providing scope for diverse consequences. Given the vulnerability of postpartum mental health, it is crucial to understand not only how support prolongs breastfeeding, but which forms of support promote the positive experience of all infant feeding. Using survey data collected from 515 UK mothers with young infants, we ran cox regression models to assess the relationship between receiving different types of support, support need, and the duration breastfeeding. Quasi-binomial logistic regression models assessed the relationship between receiving support, infant feeding mode, and maternal experience of infant feeding. Overall, infant feeding support broadly predicted shorter breastfeeding durations and poorer feeding experience; results in relation to other forms of support were more complex. 38% of breastfeeding women found it stressful and 42% emotionally draining and rates were higher in non-breastfeeding women, emphasising the widespread need for support. Our findings endorse the contention that social support should not be treated as a univariate entity with uniform outcomes, as well as highlight the wide range of individuals beyond the nuclear family on which mothers in a high-income setting rely.

The idealisation of bottle feeding: content analysis of feeding bottles and teats packages in Uruguay

Objective: The information displayed on the packages of feeding bottles and teats commercialised in Montevideo (Uruguay) was analysed using content analysis with the goal of identifying key marketing practices that may discourage breast-feeding. Design: The study was conducted as part of the periodic assessment performed by the Uruguayan government to monitor the marketing of breast milk substitutes. All the feeding bottles and teats sold in forty-four retail outlets selling breast milk substitutes were purchased. The information available on the packages was analysed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. Setting: Montevideo, Uruguay. Results: A total of 197 feeding bottles and 71 teats were found. The majority of the packages included information to enable caregivers to adequately use the products, including recommended age, instructions on how to use the products and instructions on the use of hygienic practices. However, the packages frequently included information that implied that bottle feeding was equivalent to breast-feeding, particularly from a physiological perspective, or that idealised product use. Idealisations included ability to reduce colic, improvements in the feeding experience and improvements in children’s health, well-being and development. Statements on the superiority of breast-feeding were infrequent. Conclusions: The results from the present work showed the high prevalence of marketing practices on the packages of feeding bottles and teats that may discourage breast-feeding. Stricter and more detailed regulations seem necessary to enable caregivers to make informed feeding decisions for infants.

Influence of prior feeding experience and food deprivation on flour selection and utilization by the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)

The influence of prior feeding experience and food deprivation on selection and utilization of wheat flour (WF), melon seed flour (MSF) and mung bean flour (MBF) by Tribolium castaneum reared on WF was investigated in this study. Flour selection, measured by percentage gravitation and acceptance of the flours by beetles (when fed and also when starved for 48 hours), was studied in choice and no-choice tests. On the other hand, T. castaneum’ s utilization of flours for growth and development was determined by monitoring population changes for three months in each flour type infested with 10 beetle pairs. Results of three-flour choice tests showed that gravitation (55.56%) and acceptance (54.44%) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in WF than MSF and MBF. Also, MBF significantly (p < 0.05) had higher beetle gravitation (80.56%) and acceptance (72.78%) than MSF in a two-flour choice test. In no-choice tests, percentage gravitation and acceptance of beetles to the control (no flour situation) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to MBF. Selection of MSF by T. castaneum was, however, not significantly different (p > 0.05) from the control in the study. Flour utilization followed a similar trend with significantly higher (p < 0.05) mean adults and larvae numbers in WF (211.33, 81.33) and MBF (87.67, 31.00), respectively compared to MSF (28.33, 7.67) at three months after infestation. The study concluded that flour selection in T. castaneum is influenced by prior feeding experience but not by food deprivation status of the beetles. Flour utilization is, however, neither influenced by prior feeding experience nor by food deprivation. Key words: Tribolium castaneum, host range, choice test, no-choice test, flour

The host range of Aphis gossypii is dependent on aphid genetic background and feeding experience

Background A polyphagous insect herbivore has a wide range of host plants. However, it has been found that many polyphagous herbivores commonly exhibit a strong preference for a subset of species in their broad host range, and various host biotypes exist in herbivore populations. Nutrition and secondary metabolites in plants affect herbivore preference and performance, but it is still not clear which factors determine the host range and host preference of polyphagous herbivores. Method Cotton-melon aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover, collected from cotton and cucumber crops, were used in this study. The genetic backgrounds of these aphids were detected using microsatellite PCR and six genotypes were evaluated. Performance of these six aphid genotypes on excised leaves and plants of cotton and cucumber seedlings were examined through a reciprocal transplant experiment. In order to detect whether the feeding experience on artificial diet would alter aphid host range, the six genotypes of aphids fed on artificial diet for seven days were transferred onto cotton and cucumber leaves, and then their population growth on these two host plants was surveyed. Results Aphids from cotton and cucumber plants could not colonize the excised leaves and intact plants of cucumber and cotton seedlings, respectively. All six genotypes of aphids collected from cotton and cucumber plants could survive and produce offspring on artificial diet, which lacked plant secondary metabolites. The feeding experience on the artificial diet did not alter the ability of all six genotypes to use their native host plants. However, after feeding on this artificial diet for seven days, two aphid genotypes from cotton and one from cucumber acquired the ability to use both of the excised leaves from cucumber and cotton plants. The two aphid genotypes from cotton conditioned by the feeding experience on artificial diet and then reared on excised cucumber leaves for >12 generations still maintained the ability to use intact cotton plants but did not establish a population on cucumber plants. However, one cucumber genotype conditioned by artificial diet and then reared on excised cotton leaves could use both the intact cotton and cucumber plants, showing that the expansion of host range was mediated by feeding experience. Conclusion Feeding experience on artificial diet induced the expansion of host range of the cucurbit-specialized A. gossypii, and this expansion was genotype-specific. We speculated that feeding on a constant set of host plants in the life cycle of aphids may contribute to the formation of host specialization.