Host Pubescence and the Behavior and Performance of the ButterflyPapilio Troilus(Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Effect of pubscence on the oviposition and feeding behaviour of M. Vitrata (FAB.)

“…Similarly, the results agree with those of Malakar & Tingey (1991) which suggested that glandular trichomes were responsible for the reluctance of potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella Zeller to oviposit on foliage of Solanum berthaultii. Haddad & Hicks (2000) showed that female Papilio troilus (L.) discriminated against pubescence Sassafras albidum (Nuttall). It is possible that exudates from these glandular trichomes discouraged M. vitrata females from laying eggs on the leaves.…”

“…The laevae, now at the second to fourth instar stages, were faced with some resistance from the glandular trichomes on the pods. Haddad & Hicks (2000) argued that pubescence appears to be effective in lowering larval survivorship in the first two instars since the increase in damage is exponential with larval developoment. M. vitrata larvae spend only little time on the surface of the pods as they feed on the developing seeds within the pod.…”

Stem borer herbivory dependent on interactions of sugarcane variety, associated traits, and presence of prior borer damage

“…Plant morphological characteristics can act as a first line of direct defense that initially deters or hinders herbivore oviposition, attachment, and consumption 2,3 . Such traits include cuticular waxes 8 or dense hairs 9,10 on the plant surfaces. Plant composition acts as an indirect second line of defense as the tissue is often damaged before impacting herbivore digestion and fecundity 11 .…”