Variation in host plant has no effect on the performance and fitness‐related traits of the specialist herbivore <i><scp>P</scp>areuchaetes insulata</i>

Uyi, Osariyekemwen; Hill, Martin; Zachariades, C.

doi:10.1111/eea.12229

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…The significant differences between male and female pupal mass, growth rate and longevity, irrespective of habitat condition, is consistent with the findings of Uyi et al. (,c), who reported these variables to be greater in females. The heavier pupae translated into increased fecundity in females that were fed shaded foliage as larvae compared with those that were fed full‐sun foliage.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

The nocturnal larvae of a specialist folivore perform better on Chromolaena odorata leaves from a shaded environment

Uyi

Zachariades

Hill

et al. 2015

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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Increasing evidence suggests that individuals of the same plant species occurring in different microhabitats often show a degree of phenotypic and phytochemical variation. Consequently, insect herbivores associated with such plant species must deal with environment-mediated changes or variability in the traits of their host plants. In this study, we examined the effects of habitat condition (shaded vs. full-sun habitats) on plant traits and leaf characteristics of the invasive alien plant, Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robinson (Asteraceae). In addition, the performance was evaluated in two generations of a specialist folivore, Pareuchaetes insulata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae), on leaves obtained from both shaded and full-sun habitats. The study was done in an area where the insect was introduced as a biological control agent. Leaves growing in shade were less tough, had higher water and nitrogen content, and lower total non-structural carbohydrate, compared with leaves growing in full sun. Plants growing in shade had longer leaves and were taller, but aboveground biomass was significantly reduced compared with plants growing in full sun. In both generations (parents and offspring), P. insulata developed faster and had larger pupal mass, increased growth rate, and higher fecundity when reared on shaded foliage compared with full-sun foliage. Although immature survival and adult longevity did not differ between habitats, Maw's host suitability index indicated that shaded leaves were more suitable for the growth and reproduction of P. insulata. We suggest that the benefits obtained by P. insulata feeding on shaded foliage are associated with reduced toughness and enhanced nitrogen and water content of leaves. These results demonstrate that light-mediated changes in plant traits and leaf characteristics can affect insect folivore performance.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

The nocturnal larvae of a specialist folivore perform better on Chromolaena odorata leaves from a shaded environment

Uyi

Zachariades

Hill

et al. 2015

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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“…Although the use of excised leaves in the determination of insect survival and performance has been a subject of debate 30,31 , a recent study found that egg and larval survival did not differ between leaves in intact plants and excised leaves in the specialist herbivore, Pieris napi (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae, Pierini), whereas larval growth was slightly, but significantly, faster on leaf-cuttings 32 . The use of excised leaves is a standard method for providing uniform materials in the laboratory feeding studies of this kind 33 . All containers were placed in a tray inside a transparent plastic bag (600 × 450 mm) to prevent desiccation.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Light environments affect herbivory patterns but not reproductive performance of a multivoltine specialist moth, Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata

Uyi

2020

Sci Rep

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Unravelling the responses of insect herbivores to light-environment-mediated variation in the traits of their host plants is central to our understanding of the nutritional ecology of, and factors driving the population dynamics in, these species. This study examined the effect of light environment (shaded vs full-sun habitat) on leaf toughness and leaf nutritional quality in Chromolaena odorata (an invasive species in West Africa) and related these attributes to the abundance, herbivory patterns and reproductive performance of a multivoltine specialist moth, Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata (a biological control agent). In this system, plants growing in shaded areas in the field experienced more herbivory and had higher herbivore abundance than those growing in full-sun. In the laboratory, P. pseudoinsulata larvae consumed significantly greater amounts of shaded foliage relative to full-sun foliage. However, reproductive performance metrics such as mating success, pre-oviposition period, number of eggs laid, duration of egg laying, egg hatchability, and adult longevity in P. pseudoinsulata did not differ according to foliage types. Reduced leaf toughness, increased water and nitrogen contents in shaded leaves coincided with increased leaf consumption by the larvae of P. pseudoinsulata. In summary, this study showed for the first time that light environments affect herbivory patterns but not reproductive performance of P. pseudoinsulata and hypothesized that high foliar nitrogen and water contents in shaded leaves resulted in feedback and necessity consumption patterns.

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“…They were provided with a cotton-wool ball soaked with a 50% (wt/vol) honey solution and kept in the laboratory (25 ± 2 o C, 65 ± 10% relative humidity (RH), L12:D12) at the Weeds Biocontrol Research Laboratory of the ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute (ARC-PPRI), KZN, South Africa (29° 32’ S, 30° 16’ E). Hatched larvae (from eggs laid) were fed on leaf cuttings obtained from plants in 25 cm-diameter pots (see Uyi et al [ 41 ] for details of the potting medium). The resulting adults (1 virgin female and 2 newly eclosed males) were placed in 700 ml containers as described above.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…odorata to P . insulata , freshly collected young, fully expanded leaves of each of these two foliage types were used following the methods described in Uyi et al [ 41 ]. Rectangular pieces of leaf tissue (20 × 40 mm) were placed in 140-mm-diameter Petri dishes containing a 90-mm-diameter disc of filter paper moistened with 0.6 ml of water.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developmental and reproductive performance of a specialist herbivore depend on seasonality of, and light conditions experienced by, the host plant

et al. 2018

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Host plant phenology (as influenced by seasonality) and light-mediated changes in the phenotypic and phytochemical properties of leaves have been hypothesised to equivocally influence insect herbivore performance. Here, we examined the effects of seasonality, through host plant phenology (late growth-season = autumn vs flowering-season = winter) and light environment (shade vs full-sun habitat) on the leaf characteristics of the invasive alien plant, Chromolaena odorata. In addition, the performance of a specialist folivore, Pareuchaetes insulata, feeding on leaves obtained from both shaded and full-sun habitats during autumn and winter, was evaluated over two generations. Foliar nitrogen and magnesium contents were generally higher in shaded plants with much higher levels during winter. Leaf water content was higher in shaded and in autumn plants. Total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) and phosphorus contents did not differ as a function of season, but were higher in shaded foliage compared to full-sun leaves. Leaf toughness was noticeably higher on plants growing in full-sun during winter. With the exception of shaded leaves in autumn that supported the best performance [fastest development, heaviest pupal mass, and highest growth rate and Host Suitability Index (HSI) score], full-sun foliage in autumn surprisingly also supported an improved performance of the moth compared to shaded or full-sun leaves in winter. Our findings suggest that shaded and autumn foliage are nutritionally more suitable for the growth and reproduction of P. insulata. However, the heavier pupal mass, increased number of eggs and higher HSI score in individuals that fed on full-sun foliage in autumn compared to their counterparts that fed on shaded or full-sun foliage in winter suggest that full-sun foliage during autumn is also a suitable food source for larvae of the moth. In sum, our study demonstrates that seasonal and light-modulated changes in leaf characteristics can affect insect folivore performance in ways that are not linear.

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Variation in host plant has no effect on the performance and fitness‐related traits of the specialist herbivore Pareuchaetes insulata

Cited by 9 publications

References 59 publications

The nocturnal larvae of a specialist folivore perform better on Chromolaena odorata leaves from a shaded environment

The nocturnal larvae of a specialist folivore perform better on Chromolaena odorata leaves from a shaded environment

Light environments affect herbivory patterns but not reproductive performance of a multivoltine specialist moth, Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata

Developmental and reproductive performance of a specialist herbivore depend on seasonality of, and light conditions experienced by, the host plant

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