Prior flea beetle herbivory affects oviposition preference and larval performance of a potato beetle on their shared host plant

Abstract

Abstract. 1. The herbaceous plant Solanum carolinense (L.) (Solanaceae) is host to a number of specialist insects, including the leaf-feeding beetles Epitrix fuscula (Crotch) and Leptinotarsa juncta (Germar) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Potted individuals of S. carolinense were subjected to one of two treatments: exposure to herbivory by E. fuscula or exclusion of all herbivores. The effects of E. fuscula herbivory on larval performance and oviposition preference of L. juncta were investigated.2. Although the masses of the L. juncta pupae did not differ between the two treatments, larvae feeding on damaged plants developed more slowly than those feeding on undamaged plants.3. In both paired leaf choice trials and whole plant choice trials, larvae of L. juncta showed no preference for undamaged versus damaged hosts.4. In a field transplant experiment, adult L. juncta females showed slight feeding preferences and strong oviposition preferences for undamaged plants versus plants that had been fed on by E. fuscula.5. The results are discussed with reference to their implications for plantmediated competition among herbivores and constraints on the evolution of plant resistance.

Herbivore preference drives plant community composition

“…Similarly, feeding on the second-most preferred species, Alopecurus pratensis, caterpillars gained only little mass. Thus, although food preference seems to be linked to herbivore performance, other factors, such as either chemical feeding deterrents that do not directly affect herbivore performance (Dicke 2009), or the suitability of plants as a protective structure from natural enemies (Bjo¨rkman et al 1997) or competitors (Wise and Weinberg 2002), might affect a herbivore's preference and hence fine tune performance-preference relationships.…”

Web-Mediated Interspecific Competition Among Spider Mites

“…Changes in nutrient content and increases in allelochemical concentrations in plant host quality can affect survival, reproduction, behavior, and population dynamics of co-occurring or later arriving herbivores (Gianoli 2000;Wise & Weinberg 2002;Ferrenberg & Denno 2003;Hunt-Joshi & Blossey 2005;Lynch et al 2006). We propose that reduced whitefly oviposition on spidermite-treated leaves may have been a result of perceived and/or actually reduced host quality.…”

Invasion ecology of thrips in relation to seedling cotton

“…For example, in phytophagous insects, the behavourial processes leading to host location and acceptance for oviposition and feeding may include orientated movement from a distance in response to colour, shape, odor and/or nutritional quality (Wise & Weinberg, 2002). These are all important plant cues used by herbivores to orient to their host plants (Wise & Weinberg, 2002;Anderson et al, 2011).…”

“…These are all important plant cues used by herbivores to orient to their host plants (Wise & Weinberg, 2002;Anderson et al, 2011). Another important factor that may influence plant attractiveness and subsequent colonization of a plant by the invading arthropod is the physical presence of other arthropods (which may be conspecifics) or the presence of herbivory (Wise & Weinberg, 2002;Maddox & Root, 1990;Fritz, 1992). Furthermore, given that a single plant species can host more than one species of herbivore, there is also the possibility that the invading arthropod will encounter plants that have previously been exposed to a range of different herbivores (Maddox & Root, 1990;Fritz, 1992).…”

“…For example, in phytophagous insects, the behavourial processes leading to host location and acceptance for oviposition and feeding may include orientated movement from a distance in response to colour, shape, odor and/or nutritional quality (Wise & Weinberg, 2002). These are all important plant cues used by herbivores to orient to their host plants (Wise & Weinberg, 2002;Anderson et al, 2011). Another important factor that may influence plant attractiveness and subsequent colonization of a plant by the invading arthropod is the physical presence of other arthropods (which may be conspecifics) or the presence of herbivory (Wise & Weinberg, 2002;Maddox & Root, 1990;Fritz, 1992).…”