Self-Selection of an Optimal Nutrient Mix from Defined Diets by Larvae of the Corn Earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie)

Waldbauer, G. P.; Cohen, Rochelle S.; Friedman, Stanley

doi:10.1086/physzool.57.6.30155985

Cited by 147 publications

(129 citation statements)

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“…An insect that mines leaves or bores into stems or seeds may not be able to choose among plant parts, but a caterpillar that can easily move between flower parts and leaves could make such choices. Preliminary studies of corn earworm larvae (Heliothis zea), for example, have shown that these larvae can select an optimal nutrient mix when offered artificial diets (Waldbauer et al, 1984). Consequently, performance tests on plant species must be based upon an understanding of the pattern of use of plant parts by the insects, and analyses of preference and performance on plant parts require an understanding of whether diet-mixing of plant parts is a normal feeding tactic in that species.…”

Section: Patch Dynamics Hypothesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolutionary ecology of the relationship between oviposition preference and performance of offspring in phytophagous insects

Thompson

1988

Entomologia Exp Applicata

1,040

976

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The relationship between oviposition preference and growth, survival, and reproduction of offspring is the crux of the problem in the evolution of host associations between phytophagous insects and plants. Observed relationships between oviposition preference and performance of offspring range from good to poor. At least four hypotheses have been suggested to explain observed use of particular host plants that may not result in the fastest growth rates or greatest pupal masses: time, patch dynamics, parasite versus grazer lifestyles, and enemy-free space. Our current understanding of these relationships, however, is hampered by an almost complete lack of data on how preference and performance are related genetically. These data are needed to understand the origins of covariance between preference and performance and constraints on the evolution of host associations.

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Section: Patch Dynamics Hypothesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolutionary ecology of the relationship between oviposition preference and performance of offspring in phytophagous insects

Thompson

1988

Entomologia Exp Applicata

1,040

976

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“…When given a choice of foods, H. virescens larvae also adjusted their intake of protein and carbohydrate to meet their nutrient needs, unless the two foods were close to the intake target, in which case the caterpillars fed equally from the two sources (Telang et al, 2001). Nutrient regulation has also been demonstrated to varying degrees in Heliothis zea Boddie (Waldbauer et al, 1984) and Lymantria dispar L. (Stockhoff, 1993).…”

Section: Diet Self-selection and Nutrient Regulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

How well do specialist feeders regulate nutrient intake? Evidence from a gregarious tree-feeding caterpillar

Despland

Noseworthy

2006

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARY Nutritional regulation is a powerful mechanism used by generalist feeders to obtain the balance of nutrients they require from nutritionally diverse,perhaps unbalanced, foods. We examined nutritional regulation in a species with a narrow individual diet breadth: the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria. Fourth instar caterpillars were provided with artificial foods consisting of different ratios of protein to digestible carbohydrate in no-choice, choice and compensatory feeding experiments. In the no-choice test, caterpillars were confined to a single food source of varying protein/carbohydrate ratio for the duration of the fourth larval stadium. Caterpillars performed best on equal-ratio and slightly protein-biased diets. Significant reductions in performance were only observed on extremely protein-or carbohydrate-biased diets. Daily consumption of the three acceptable intermediate diets was consistent with volumetric regulation, but the timing of the moult to the next instar appeared linked instead to protein intake. In the choice test, caterpillars were provided with two complementary foods, one biased toward protein and the other toward carbohydrate, for the duration of the stadium. The caterpillars fed randomly from the two food sources presented to them, except for the extremely protein-biased diet (P:C ratio of 35:7),which they avoided. The compensatory feeding experiment tested whether forest tent caterpillars deprived of either protein or digestible carbohydrate would select a food containing the deficient nutrient. Insects were conditioned on either protein-only, carbohydrate-only, protein-and-carbohydrate or no-nutrient foods, then offered a choice between protein-only and carbohydrate-only foods. Unlike previously studied generalist feeders, our caterpillars did not compensate for protein deficiency and showed only very weak evidence of compensation for carbohydrate deficiency. Forest tent caterpillars are colonial trail-laying forest folivores that are generally confined to a single host plant and hence do not experience much diversity in food nutrient ratios. We show that forest tent caterpillars do not independently regulate protein and carbohydrate intake. These findings are consistent with predictions that nutritional regulation abilities should be less important in animals with narrower diet breadths.

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“…sucrose), proteins may be limiting in quantity and/or quality [32,57,82,111,138]. Therefore, to obtain sufficient protein resources, larvae must limit the detrimental effects of excess carbohydrate consumption [68,70,131,142] One post-ingestive mechanism to cope with excess glucose is elevated respiration, which has been demonstrated in locust, and assumed to occur in caterpillars [131,149]. Another strategy may be to metabolize excess carbohydrates prior to ingestion through enzymes secreted in the saliva.…”

Section: Nutrient Requirements and Acquisitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of neuropeptides in caterpillar nutritional ecology

2007

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Plant diet strongly impacts the fitness of insect herbivores. Immediately, we think of plant defensive compounds that may act as feeding deterrents or toxins. We are, probably, less aware that plants also influence insect growth and fecundity through their nutritional quality. However, most herbivores respond to their environment and select the diet which optimizes their growth and development. [...] Understanding the effects of diet on the insect herbivore is essential for the rational design and implementation of sustainable pest management practices

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Self-Selection of an Optimal Nutrient Mix from Defined Diets by Larvae of the Corn Earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie)

Cited by 147 publications

References 0 publications

Evolutionary ecology of the relationship between oviposition preference and performance of offspring in phytophagous insects

Evolutionary ecology of the relationship between oviposition preference and performance of offspring in phytophagous insects

How well do specialist feeders regulate nutrient intake? Evidence from a gregarious tree-feeding caterpillar

The role of neuropeptides in caterpillar nutritional ecology

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