Influence of larval experience on preference of a subterranean insectDelia antiquaonAlliumhosts

Abstract

Numerous studies have reported that larval experience can affect subsequent host plants selection and future oviposition decisions of many different species, but the investigation of pre-imaginal experiences on host preference of adults has rarely been tested for soil-dwelling insects. In this study, we present evidence that larval feeding experience can affect adult host preference in the onion maggot, Delia antiqua. By rearing D. antiqua on different host plants, we were able to examine the role of the natal host of different generations and the effect of larval density on host-choice behaviour. We also performed bioassays by means of switched host treatment to evaluate the host-selection principle. Choice bioassays among the three host species demonstrated that D. antiqua females preferred to oviposit on their natal host in each generation and host-switching treatments. Additionally, increasing larval density could intensify this ovipositional preference on the natal host. The overall results showed that host preference of female D. antiqua is determined by larval experience and density. These findings also add support for the controversial Hopkins' host-selection principle. K E Y W O R D Shost-plant preference, phenotypic plasticity, prior experience, soil-dwelling insect, specialization

Behavioral and Physiological Plasticity Provides Insights into Molecular Based Adaptation Mechanism to Strain Shift in Spodoptera frugiperda

“…Most herbivorous insects have evolved morphological, behavioral, physiological and genetic adaptations that enable them to specialize on one or a few plant species on which they rely for food or other resources [ 17 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. Induced feeding preferences, habituation, sensitization and food aversion learning have been documented to affect host plant choice in many juvenile insects [ 58 , 59 , 60 ]. In our study, we established a corn strain of FAW on two host plants, the preferred (Corn) and alternate (Rice) for more than 20 generations and found phenotypic and genetic changes in some traits associated to adaptation to host plants.…”

Larval experience of stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans Linneaus, 1758 (Diptera: Muscidae) does not influence oviposition preference in gravid females

“…In Musca domestica, Ray (1999) showed that adults preferred specific odours to which they were exposed during larval development. The onion fly, Delia antiqua, preferred to oviposit on their natal host (Ning et al, 2018). The onion fly, Delia antiqua, preferred to oviposit on their natal host (Ning et al, 2018).…”

“…Host selection behaviour in adult granary weevils, Sitophilus granarius, was shaped by their experience during the immature stages (Rietdorf & Steidle, 2002). The onion fly, Delia antiqua, preferred to oviposit on their natal host (Ning et al, 2018). In haematophagous insects (mainly in mosquitoes), learning in the larval (Ferrari et al, 2008;Baglan et al, 2017) and adult stages (Menda et al, 2013;Roberts, 2014) has already been demonstrated.…”

Previous breeding success and carrion substrate together influence subsequent carrion choice by adultNicrophorus vespilloides

“…In addition, it has been suggested that some species of phytophagous insects can increase the survival of their young by choosing to oviposit on host plant species that the adult successfully consumed as a larva (also known as the Hopkins' host selection principle; (Hopkins, 1917). This has been studied in a number of species, but evidence for this idea is divisive (Akhtar and Isman, 2003;Chen et al, 2019;Chow et al, 2005;Craighead, 1921;Janz et al, 2009;Ning et al, 2018;Rausher, 1983;Trematerra et al, 2013). Similar claims have been made for parasitoids and preference for their host species, although it is uncertain whether host cues are picked up during the larval stage or in the early adult phase during eclosion (Emden et al, 1996;Gandolfi et al, 2003;Sasakawa and Kon, 2018).…”