Different parasitoid species elicit varied Argentine stem weevil, <i>Listronotus bonariensis</i> avoidance responses

Shields, Morgan W.; Wratten, Steve D.; Koten, Chikako van; Phillips, C.B.; Bennett, Jacquelyn R.; Goldson, S. L.

doi:10.1080/00288233.2023.2211776

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 28 publications

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“…Several methodologies have been studied to control this insect, including biological, cultural, and chemical methods. In terms of biological control, a study by Shields et al [11] found Mictoctonus hyperodae Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to reduce weevil feeding by 16.3%. Chemical control relies on the application of pesticides from various chemical families, such as neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, and phosphates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feeding Performance of Argentine Stem Weevil Is Reduced by Peramine from Perennial Ryegrass Infected with Endophyte Fungus

Chacón-Fuentes,

Martínez-Cisterna,

Vera

et al. 2024

Insects

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One of the primary supports for extensive agriculture is pasture, which can suffer severe damage from insects including the Argentine stem weevil, Listronotus bonariensis. The main control method has been the infection of ryegrass with an endophyte fungus, forming a symbiotic association that produces alkaloids. In this study, we evaluated the impact of endophyte and peramine production on the weight of L. bonariensis across seven unnamed lines (LE161-LE167), and two Lolium perenne cultivars: Jumbo and Alto AR1. L. bonariensis adults fed on leaves from LE164, LE166, and ALTO AR1 showed weight losses of 13.3%, 17.1% and 18.2%, respectively. Similarly, the corresponding alkaloidal extract from LE164, LE166, and ALTO AR1 exhibited an antifeedant effect on L. bonariensis adults in laboratory assays, as observed through weight loss or low weight gain (−12.5%, 8.8% and 4.9%, respectively). Furthermore, one alkaloid, peramine, also elicited an antifeedant effect when incorporated into an artificial diet. Liquid chromatographic analysis of the alkaloid extract revealed that peramine was present in LE164, LE166 and ALTO AR1 in amounts ranging from 46.5–184.2 ng/g. Peramine was not detected in Jumbo and the remaining experimental lines. These data suggest that L. bonariensis were susceptible to peramine produced from endophyte infection in experimental lines LE164 and LE166, as well as ALTO AR1, affecting their feeding behavior.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feeding Performance of Argentine Stem Weevil Is Reduced by Peramine from Perennial Ryegrass Infected with Endophyte Fungus

Chacón-Fuentes,

Martínez-Cisterna,

Vera

et al. 2024

Insects

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Immune system modulation & virus transmission during parasitism identified by multi-species transcriptomics of a declining insect biocontrol system

Inwood,

Harrop,

Shields

et al. 2024

BMC Genomics

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Background The Argentine stem weevil (ASW, Listronotus bonariensis) is a significant pasture pest in Aotearoa New Zealand, primarily controlled by the parasitoid biocontrol agent Microctonus hyperodae. Despite providing effective control of ASW soon after release, M. hyperodae parasitism rates have since declined significantly, with ASW hypothesised to have evolved resistance to its biocontrol agent. While the parasitism arsenal of M. hyperodae has previously been investigated, revealing many venom components and an exogenous novel DNA virus Microctonus hyperodae filamentous virus (MhFV), the effects of said arsenal on gene expression in ASW during parasitism have not been examined. In this study, we performed a multi-species transcriptomic analysis to investigate the biology of ASW parasitism by M. hyperodae, as well as the decline in efficacy of this biocontrol system. Results The transcriptomic response of ASW to parasitism by M. hyperodae involves modulation of the weevil’s innate immune system, flight muscle components, and lipid and glucose metabolism. The multispecies approach also revealed continued expression of venom components in parasitised ASW, as well as the transmission of MhFV to weevils during parasitism and some interrupted parasitism attempts. Transcriptomics did not detect a clear indication of parasitoid avoidance or other mechanisms to explain biocontrol decline. Conclusions This study has expanded our understanding of interactions between M. hyperodae and ASW in a biocontrol system of critical importance to Aotearoa-New Zealand’s agricultural economy. Transmission of MhFV to ASW during successful and interrupted parasitism attempts may link to a premature mortality phenomenon in ASW, hypothesised to be a result of a toxin-antitoxin system. Further research into MhFV and its potential role in ASW premature mortality is required to explore whether manipulation of this viral infection has the potential to increase biocontrol efficacy in future.

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Different parasitoid species elicit varied Argentine stem weevil, Listronotus bonariensis avoidance responses

Cited by 2 publications

References 28 publications

Feeding Performance of Argentine Stem Weevil Is Reduced by Peramine from Perennial Ryegrass Infected with Endophyte Fungus

Feeding Performance of Argentine Stem Weevil Is Reduced by Peramine from Perennial Ryegrass Infected with Endophyte Fungus

Immune system modulation & virus transmission during parasitism identified by multi-species transcriptomics of a declining insect biocontrol system

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