Physiological factors affecting the rapid decrease in protein assimilation efficiency by a caterpillar on newly‐mature tree leaves

Barbehenn, Raymond V.; Haugberg, Nola; Kochmanski, Joseph; Menachem, Brandon; Miller, Chelsea

doi:10.1111/phen.12049

Cited by 8 publications

(39 citation statements)

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“…82–97%), starch has lower assimilation efficiencies from both immature and mature leaves (e.g. 37–57%) (Barbehenn et al ., ; R. V. Barbehenn, unpublished observations). This pattern of carbohydrate assimilation efficiencies is reported in some previously examined species of caterpillars on tree leaves (Horie et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The present study identifies a potentially important nutritional difference between trees in different families; protein in the mature leaves of species in the Salicaceae remains readily available to L. dispar compared with protein in the mature leaves of previously examined tree species in the Fagaceae and Aceraceae. Specifically, the PAE of L. dispar larvae remains near 70% from the mature leaves of poplar, aspen, cottonwood and willow, whereas it falls to 45–52% in L. dispar on mature red oak and sugar maple (Barbehenn et al ., , ). The changes in PAE are interpreted as largely being a result of protein extractability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The changes in PAE are interpreted as largely being a result of protein extractability. Protein in the mature leaves of red oak becomes significantly less extractable in the midguts of L. dispar larvae when PAE decreases (Barbehenn et al ., , ), whereas protein in the mature leaves of poplar remains highly extractable and PAE also remains high (R. V. Barbehenn, N. Haugberg, J. Kochmanski & B. Menachem, unpublished observations).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The overall availability of carbohydrates from the mature leaves of all examined species remains relatively high for L. dispar : CAEs are in the range of 72–92% from the immature or mature leaves of species in the Salicaceae, and in the range of 68–85% from the immature or mature leaves of red oak and sugar maple (Barbehenn et al ., ; R. V. Barbehenn, unpublished observations). Although sugars are assimilated efficiently from the mature foliage of all tested species (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Whereas sugars are assimilated with high efficiencies, often exceeding 90% (Horie et al ., ; Barbehenn et al ., ), starch assimilation efficiencies in caterpillars are typically much lower (e.g. 20–60%) (Waldbauer, ; Harvey, ; Barbehenn et al ., ). In the present study, it is expected that carbohydrate assimilation efficiency (CAE) is strongly affected by carbohydrate composition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Nutrients are assimilated efficiently by Lymantria dispar caterpillars from the mature leaves of trees in the Salicaceae

et al. 2015

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The efficient aquisition of nutrients from leaves by insect herbivores increases their nutrient assimilation rates and overall fitness. Caterpillars of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) have high protein assimilation efficiencies (PAE) from the immature leaves of trees such as red oak (Quercus rubra) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) (71-81%) but significantly lower PAE from their mature leaves (45-52%). By contrast to this pattern, both PAE and carbohydrate assimilation efficiencies (CAE) remain high for L. dispar larvae on the mature leaves of poplar (Populus alba × Populus tremula) grown in greenhouse conditions. The present study tests two alternative hypotheses: (i) outdoor environmental stresses cause decreased nutrient assimilation efficiencies from mature poplar leaves and (ii) nutrients in the mature leaves of trees in the poplar family (Salicaceae) remain readily available for L. dispar larvae. When poplar trees are grown in ambient outdoor conditions, PAE and CAE remain high (approximately 75% and 78%, respectively) in L. dispar larvae, in contrast to the first hypothesis. When larvae feed on the mature leaves of species in the Salicaceae [aspen (Populus tremuloides), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), willow (Salix nigra) and poplar], PAE and CAE also remain high (68-76% and 72-92%, respectively), consistent with the second hypothesis. Larval growth rates are strongly associated with protein assimilation rates, and more strongly associated with protein assimilation rates than with carbohydrate assimilation rates. It is concluded that tree species in the Salicaceae are relatively high-quality host plants for L. dispar larvae, in part, because nutrients in their mature leaves remain readily available.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Nutrients are assimilated efficiently by Lymantria dispar caterpillars from the mature leaves of trees in the Salicaceae

et al. 2015

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Acquiring nutrients from tree leaves: effects of leaf maturity and development type on a generalist caterpillar

et al. 2017

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The rapid growth and prolific reproduction of many insect herbivores depend on the efficiencies and rates with which they acquire nutrients from their host plants. However, little is known about how nutrient assimilation efficiencies are affected by leaf maturation or how they vary between plant species. Recent work showed that leaf maturation can greatly decrease the protein assimilation efficiency (PAE) of Lymantria dispar caterpillars on some tree species, but not on species in the willow family (Salicaceae). One trait of many species in the Salicaceae that potentially affects PAE is the continuous (or "indeterminate") development of leaves throughout the growing season. To improve our understanding of the temporal and developmental patterns of nutrient availability for tree-feeding insects, this study tested two hypotheses: nutrients (protein and carbohydrate) are more efficiently assimilated from immature than mature leaves, and, following leaf maturation, nutrients are more efficiently assimilated from indeterminate than determinate tree species. The nutritional physiology and growth of a generalist caterpillar (L. dispar) were measured on five determinate and five indeterminate tree species while their leaves were immature and again after they were mature. In support of the first hypothesis, caterpillars that fed on immature leaves had significantly higher PAE and carbohydrate assimilation efficiency (CAE), as well as higher protein assimilation rates and growth rates, than larvae that fed on mature leaves. Contrary to the second hypothesis, caterpillars that fed on mature indeterminate tree leaves did not have higher PAE than those that fed on mature determinate leaves, while CAE differed by only 3% between tree development types. Instead, "high-PAE" and "low-PAE" tree species were found across taxonomic and development categories. The results of this study emphasize the importance of physiological mechanisms, such as nutrient assimilation efficiency, to explain the large variation in host plant quality for insect herbivores.

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Performance of Wild and Laboratory-Reared Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Erebidae): A Comparison between Foliage and Artificial Diet

Grayson

Parry

Faske

et al. 2015

Environmental Entomology

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The effects of long-term mass rearing of laboratory insects on ecologically relevant traits is an important consideration when applying research conclusions to wild populations or developing management strategies. Laboratory strains of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), an invasive forest pest in North America, have been continuously reared since 1967. Selection on these strains has enhanced a variety of traits, resulting in faster development, shorter diapause, and greater fecundity. As in many mass-reared insects, laboratory strains of the gypsy moth are also reared exclusively on artificial diets that lack much of the phytochemical and nutritional complexity associated with natural foliage. We tested for differences in growth and development of wild gypsy moth populations from across the invasive range in comparison to laboratory strains when reared on artificial diet and a preferred foliage host species, northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.). Overall, caterpillars reared on foliage had higher survival and faster development rates, with smaller differences among populations. When reared on artificial diet, laboratory strains had the highest performance as expected. The response from the wild populations was mixed, with two populations performing poorly on artificial diet and another performing nearly as well as the laboratory strains. Performance on diet was enhanced when larvae received cubed portions changed regularly, as opposed to filled cups. Understanding these relationships between food source and population performance is important for informing studies that examine population comparisons using wild and laboratory-reared strains.

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Physiological factors affecting the rapid decrease in protein assimilation efficiency by a caterpillar on newly‐mature tree leaves

Cited by 8 publications

References 55 publications

Nutrients are assimilated efficiently by Lymantria dispar caterpillars from the mature leaves of trees in the Salicaceae

Nutrients are assimilated efficiently by Lymantria dispar caterpillars from the mature leaves of trees in the Salicaceae

Acquiring nutrients from tree leaves: effects of leaf maturity and development type on a generalist caterpillar

Performance of Wild and Laboratory-Reared Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Erebidae): A Comparison between Foliage and Artificial Diet

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