Prediction of assimilation efficiency of lepidopterans

Abstract

Abstract. From 206 values reported for over 60 lepidopteran species. it was found that nitrogen content of food shows a significant (P«HlOl) and a positive correlation (7=0-704) to assimilation efficiency with standard error of 10-33. Unlike in aquatic animals, water content of food influences assimilation efficiency in these terrestrial lepidopterans; however, the relation between leaf water and assimilation efficiency is also correlated, but the correlation is lower than that (7=0-529; 8E=11'8) obtained for 'leaf nitrogen. Considering the individual effect of water on assimilation efficiency as well as its covarying relation with nitrogen, leaf water was included as a eo-predictor, The inclusion of leaf water as a eo-predictor of leaf nitrogen content improves the precision of prediction (7=0-868; SE=9·7). The role of digestive reducing substances (e.g. Tannins) on assimilation efficiency was considered as a second eo-predictor, Realising the difficulties of considering the digestive reducing substances as a second eo-predictor, and observing the closeness of the observed and predicted values in the present study, nitrogen and water contents of leaf are considered as adequate explanatory variables for the prediction of assimilation efficiency.

Life history and larval performance of the Peacock pansy butterfly, Junonia almana Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera: Nymphalidae)

“…The GRs of penultimate and final instars of Junonia almana are in line with the above decreasing trend. The values of AD that were obtained in this study are comparable with the range of AD values (19 -81%) for lepidopterous larvae [21]. The average AD percentage is over 82.99 and this high AD substantiates the statement of Slansky and Scriber [19] that foliage chewers often attain high AD values.…”

“…The average AD percentage is over 82.99 and this high AD substantiates the statement of Slansky and Scriber [19] that foliage chewers often attain high AD values. Such high AD values also are expected when food item is rich in nitrogen (and also water) [21]. Similar results were repeated with Pieris brassicae (L.) [22], Euploea core (Cramer) [23], Ariadne merione merione (Cramer) [8], and Byblia ilithyia Drury [24].…”

Bioenergetics and reproductive efficiency ofAtractomorpha crenulata F. (Orthoptera: Insecta) in relation to food quality

“…Increase in weight, area of the gut and lipid contents of the body with advancing age are the major reasons for the decrease in assimilation efficiency (Gordon 1959). Insects feeding on different food plants exhibit differences i" assimilation efficiency which is directly related to the chemistry of the leaf as well as the water content (Pandian and Marian 1985). Somatic growth of the insect is obvious with advancing life stage, ceasing after the commencement of reproductive phase.…”

Prediction of absorption efficiency from food nitrogen in amphibians

“…However, food-N, can precisely predict Ae ofaquatic amphibians, in which feces recovery and quantification are difficult. In figure 2, a comparison of the trends obtained for food-N and Ae relation in fishes (Pandian and Marian 1985a), amphibians and reptiles (Pandian and Marian 1985b) are made; a positive and significant correlation observed between food-N and Ae of these animal groups renders it possible to predict Ae from food-N with more than 90% accuracy. It may be noted that the given diet is more efficiently digested and absorbed by amphibians than by fishes and reptiles; for instance, fed on food containing 6% N, the efficiency is 78% for amphibians in comparison to 57 and 63% for fishes and reptiles, respectively.…”