Improved rearing and release procedures forCotesia melanoscela (Hym.: Braconidae), an early season parasitoid ofLymantria dispar (Lep.: Lymantriidae)

Rearing and release procedures forCotesia melanoscela (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an early-season parasitoid ofLymantria dispar (L.), were evaluated in 1995 and 1996 at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Mass rearing procedures were developed during the winter/spring of 1995/1996 to produce diapausingC. melanoscela cocoons for experimentation. Program efficiency as measured by percent adult emergence was estimated to be 84% with a measured sex ratio of 48:52 M:F, at an estimated cost per 1 000 cocoons of U.S. $5.26 for materials and a labor requirement of approximately 6 hours. A host larvae:female parasitoid ratio of 100:1 was found to be most efficient in terms of number of parasitoid cocoons produced per female parasitoid, but a ratio of 100:2 was most efficient in terms of number of cocoons per rearing cup. OverwinteringC. melanoscela cocoons under natural conditions for 25 weeks (November placements) before expectedL. dispar egg hatch (mid-April) resulted in excellent synchrony with host egg hatch. Alternatively, holdingC. melanoscela cocoons in cold storage for 23 or more weeks at 5°C resulted in adult parasitoid emergence beginning 10 days after removal from cold storage, and proper timing of removal would result in similar synchrony of adult emergence with host egg hatch. These alternative release strategies give managers increased program flexibility.     

Elevated atmospheric CO2: effects on phytochemistry, insect performance and insect-parasitoid interactions

This study was conducted to examine the effects of CO₂-mediated changes in tree chemistry on the performance of the gypsy moth ((Lymantria dispar L.) and the parasitold Cotesia melanoscela (Ratz.). We used carbon-nutrient balance theory to develop hypotheses regarding changes in tree chemistry and the performance of both insects under elevated CO₂. As predicted, levels of foliar nitrogen declined and concentrations of carbon-based compounds (e.g. starch and phenolics) increased under elevated CO₂. Gypsy moth performance (e.g. growth, development) was altered by CO₂-mediated changes in foliar chemistry, but the magnitude was small and varied across tree species. Larvae feeding on high CO₂ aspen exhibited the largest reduction in performance, relative to larvae feeding on birch, oak, or maple. Parasitism by C. melanoscela significantly prolonged gypsy moth development and reduced growth rates. Overall, the effect of parasitism on gypsy moth performance did not differ between CO₂ treatments. Altered gypsy moth performance on high CO₂ foliage in turn affected parasitoid performance, but the response was variable: parasitoid mortality increased and adult female size declined slightly under high CO₂, while development time and adult male size were unaffected. Our results suggest that CO₂-induced changes in plant chemistry were buffered to the extent that effects on third trophic level interactions were weak to non-existent for the system examined in this study.     

Effect of seasonal placement ofCotesia melanoscela (Hym.: Braconidae) on its potential for effective augmentative release againstLymantria dispar (Lep.: Lymantriidae)

Cohorts ofCotesia melanoscela (Ratzeburg) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) cocoons were exposed in the field at three Maryland locations to attack by natural enemies for two week periods, then were held in an outdoor insectary untilC. melanoscela adult or hyperparasitoid emergence. The timing of placement of theC. melanoscela cocoons in the field had a profound effect on the number ofC. melanoscela that survived and emerged as adults in synchrony with the field occurence of susceptible early-instarLymantria dispar (L.) larvae. The proportion of emerged adults available during susceptible host stages ranged from 1–92%, depending on dates of release. November or December placements ofC. melanoscela cocoons were most effective with 74–92 % emergence of adults during peak periods of susceptible host stages. Spring placements were least effective. The causes of ineffective placement, which varied with location and with date, were program (handling) loss, non-emergence, attack by hyperparasitoids, predation, andC. melanoscela adult emergence at times when appropriateL. dispar life stages would not be present. We concluded that November/December releases avoided natural enemies and promoted appropriate diapause and post-diapause development that enhanced survival and synchrony of adult emergence with host stage susceptibility.     

Host recognition by the gypsy moth [Lymantria dispar] [Lep.: Lymantriidae] hyperparasite,Eurytoma appendigaster [Hym.: Eurytomidae] of cocoons ofCotesia melanoscela [Hym.: Braconidae]

Artificial and modified natural hosts were exposed to females of the gypsy moth [Lymantria dispar (L.)] hyperparasite,Eurytoma appendigaster (Swederus), to investigate its host recognition behavior on the primary host, which are cocooned larvae of the gypsy moth parasite,Cotesia melanoscela (Ratzeburg). Material(s) which caused drilling behavior by the hyperparasite on host cocoons were extracted with both polar and non-polar solvents. However, cocoons washed with large volumes of solvent still caused substantial drilling activities by females, suggesting that additional cues may be important. Results suggest that host recognition in this hyperparasite involves a variety of host characteristics.      

Influence of dietary aconitine and nicotine on the gut microbiota of two lepidopteran herbivores

The gut microbiota plays an important role in pheromone production, pesticide degradation, vitamin synthesis, and pathogen prevention in the host animal. Therefore, similar to gut morphology and digestive enzyme activity, the gut microbiota may also get altered under plant defensive compound-induced stress. To test this hypothesis, Dendrolimus superans larvae were fed either aconitine- or nicotine-treated fresh leaves of Larix gmelinii, and Lymantria dispar larvae were fed either aconitine- or nicotine-treated fresh leaves of Salix matsudana. Subsequently, the larvae were sampled 72hr after diet administration and DNA extracted from larval enteric canals were employed for gut microbial 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing (338 F and 806 R primers). The sequence analysis revealed that dietary nicotine and aconitine influenced the dominant bacteria in the larval gut and determined their abundance. Moreover, the effect of either aconitine or nicotine on D. superans and L. dispar larvae had a greater dependence on insect species than on secondary plant metabolites. These findings further our understanding of the interaction between herbivores and host plants and the coevolution of plants and insects.     

Compound effects of induced plant responses on insect herbivores and parasitoids: implications for tritrophic interactions

1. Induced plant responses can affect herbivores either directly, by reducing herbivore development, or indirectly, by affecting the performance of natural enemies. Both the direct and indirect impacts of induction on herbivore and parasitoid success were evaluated in a common experimental system, using clonal poplar trees Populus nigra (Salicales: Salicaceae), the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), and the gregarious parasitoid Glyptapanteles flavicoxis (Marsh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). 2. Female parasitoids were attracted to leaf odours from both damaged and undamaged trees, however herbivore‐damaged leaves were three times more attractive to wasps than undamaged leaves. Parasitoids were also attracted to herbivore larvae reared on foliage and to larval frass, but they were not attracted to larvae reared on artificial diet. 3. Prior gypsy moth feeding elicited a systemic plant response that retarded the growth rate, feeding, and survival of gypsy moth larvae, however induction also reduced the developmental success of the parasitoid. 4. The mean number of parasitoid progeny emerging from hosts fed foliage from induced trees was 40% less than from uninduced trees. In addition, the proportion of parasitised larvae that survived long enough to issue any parasitoids was lower on foliage from induced trees. 5. A conceptual and analytical model is provided to describe the net impacts of induced plant responses on parasitoids, and implications for tritrophic interactions and biological control of insect pests are discussed.     

Diamondback moth females oviposit more on plants infested by non‐parasitised than by parasitised conspecifics

Abstract 1. When offered a choice, female diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella) oviposited more eggs on plants with non‐parasitised conspecific larvae than on plants with parasitised larvae. 2. The leaf area consumed by parasitised larvae was significantly lower than that by non‐parasitised larvae. However, this quantitative difference in larval damage did not explain the female’s ability to discriminate between plants with parasitised and non‐parasitised larvae, as females showed an equal oviposition preference for plants infested by higher or lower densities of non‐parasitised larvae. 3. Pupal weight and duration of the larval stage of P. xylostella were independent of whether larvae were reared on plants that were previously infested by either non‐parasitised or parasitised larvae. 4. The larval parasitoid Cotesia vestalis did not distinguish between plants infested by non‐parasitised larvae and plants infested by larvae that had already been parasitised by conspecific wasps. 5. Based on these data, it can be concluded that the moth oviposition preference for plants infested by non‐parasitised conspecifics relative to plants infested by parasitised conspecifics was not explained by plant quality or by the attractiveness of plants towards wasps. It is hypothesised that one of the reasons for this preference is avoidance of plants where a relatively high risk of parasitism is expected due to the emergence of parasitoids from the parasitised host larvae.     

Host plants of the herbivorous insect Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) affect its susceptibility to parasitism by the larval parasitoid Cotesia kariyai (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Previous studies have shown that the food plant species consumed by herbivorous insects affect their parasitism by parasitoid wasps or flies, but this phenomenon has only been observed in a limited number of systems. Here, we investigate how feeding on different plant species affects the survival of the rice armyworm Mythimna separata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its successful parasitism by the larval endoparasitoid Cotesia kariyai (Watanabe) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Survival rate and pupal weight of unparasitised M. separata fed with daikon Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus was lower than with maize Zea mays L. In addition, caterpillars fed with daikon were less susceptible to parasitism by C. kariyai than those fed with maize, and parasitised M. separata larvae fed with daikon had higher survival rates than those fed with maize. These results indicate that while daikon is not an optimal food for unparasitised caterpillars, it may protect the larvae from death by C. kariyai parasitism.     

Effects of elicitation treatment and genotypic variation on induced resistance in Populus: impacts on gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) development and feeding behavior

We examined the effects of various wounding treatments and genotypic variation on induced resistance in Populus (Salicales: Salicaceae) against herbivory by the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). Second-instar larvae grew and consumed less on leaves from induced than non-induced trees. Likewise, larvae preferred leaf disks from non-induced trees. Among induction treatments, gypsy moth feeding had the strongest and most consistent effect in behavioral choice tests. Mechanical wounding of leaves and mechanical wounding plus application of gypsy moth regurgitant had intermediate effects, while application of jasmonic acid had the weakest overall effect. Under no-choice conditions, there were no consistent trends across clones in the ability of various treatments to elicit plant responses affecting the herbivore. Levels of constitutive and inducible resistance to herbivory varied significantly among 12 Populus clones. Larvae grew up to 30-fold more, and consumed up to 250-fold more on the most suitable than the least suitable clone. Prior feeding by gypsy moths reduced larval feeding up to 71.4% on the most highly inducible clone, but it had little or no effect for the least inducible clones. There was no evidence for a relationship between levels of inducible and constitutive resistance, or between inducible resistance and phylogenetic relatedness among clones. We discuss implications for the ecology and evolution of plant-insect interactions and the management of insect pests. Received: 12 October 1998 / Accepted: 22 March 1999     

The natural enemy complex of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (Lep., Lymantriidae) in different phases of its population dynamics in eastern Austria and Slovakia – a comparative study

Parasitism and pathogen mortality of Lymantria dispar were compared between host populations of different densities in Slovakia and Austria. Over a period of 4 years, L. dispar eggs, larvae, and pupae were collected in a stage‐specific manner at three mixed oak stands in each country and reared in the laboratory to assess parasitoid and pathogen mortality. At sites with low host densities, L. dispar abundance was artificially augmented by exposing egg masses and young larvae. We ascertained marked differences between the natural enemy complexes of L. dispar populations in Slovakia and Austria. Overall, pathogens caused highest mortality in the former and parasitoids in the latter. Moreover, the species composition differed significantly between both countries. High variation was also observed between years and host populations at different densities. The investigations revealed that egg parasitization was low in Slovak L. dispar populations, and no egg parasitoids were found in Austria. Larval and pupal parasitism was low at sites with outbreak populations, but higher at the Austrian than at the Slovak site. The tachinid Parasetigena silvestris was the dominant species at elevated host densities. Nuclear polyhedrosis virus also caused significant mortality in these cases. An increase in parasitism by several species was noticed after the breakdown of L. dispar populations. The ichneumonid Phobocampe spp. caused high levels of parasitism during the post‐culmination years. At sites where host abundance increased in the first year of the study, significant differences between the Austrian and the Slovak locality could be ascertained. Mortality was low in the population at the latter site, and host abundance increased to outbreak levels the year after. The population at the Austrian site suffered high parasitism by the tachinids P. silvestris and Blepharipa pratensis and this might have contributed to the prevention of a further increase in L. dispar abundance in this locality. Braconids showed a strong reaction to the local, artificial increase in host density at study plots with innocuous L. dispar populations. Particularly high parasitism by Glyptapanteles liparidis was observed at the Austrian site, but G. porthetriae and Cotesia melanoscela also accounted for significant mortality in both low‐density populations. The artificial L. dispar populations were usually eradicated by natural enemies before pupation of the hosts.     

Effect of dietary nitrogen on gypsy moth larval nutritional indices, development and lipid content

Nutritional indices, development rates, percent dry weights and total lipids were determined in gypsy moth larvae (Lymantria dispar L.) reared on a high wheat germ (HWG) diet or diets prepared from lyophilized, ball-milled oak or pine foliage as the only source of dietary nitrogen (N). With regard to both total and proteinaceous N content, HWG diet>oak diet>pine diet. All nutritional indices measured were significantly lower in second instars fed pine diet vs. oak diet. Protein supplementation of pine diet with either casein or ovalbumin to bring total N up to the level present in oak diet resulted in small increased in approximate digestibility (AD) and effciency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), but relative growth rate (RGR) remained unaffected. The low RGR of larvae fed pine diet (unsupplemented or protein supplemented), as compared to those fed HWG or oak diet, was accompanied by significantly lower larval percent dry weight and percent total lipid. In contrast, RGR, larval percent dry weight and total lipid values were comparable in second instars fed HWG or oak diet. Insects reared from the first through the final instar on oak diet exhibited lower pupal weights compared to those reared on HWG. Casein addition to oak diet generally resulted in even more extended larval development times and further reduced pupal weights, but wheat germ addition to oak diet did not alter development rates and caused an increase in pupal weights.     

Leaf Surface Lipophilic Compounds as One of the Factors of Silver Birch Chemical Defense against Larvae of Gypsy Moth

Plant chemical defense against herbivores is a complex process which involves a number of secondary compounds. It is known that the concentration of leaf surface lipophilic compounds (SLCs), particularly those of flavonoid aglycones are increased with the defoliation treatment of silver birch Betula pendula. In this study we investigated how the alteration of SLCs concentration in the food affects the fitness and innate immunity of the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar. We found that a low SLCs concentrations in consumed leaves led to a rapid larval development and increased females’ pupae weight (= fecundity) compared to larvae fed with leaves with high SLCs content. Inversely, increasing the compounds concentration in an artificial diet produced the reverse effects: decreases in both larval weight and larval survival. Low SLCs concentrations in tree leaves differently affected larval innate immunity parameters. For both sexes, total hemocytes count in the hemolymph increased, while the activity of plasma phenoloxidase decreased when larvae consume leaves with reduced content of SLCs. Our results clearly demonstrate that the concentration of SLCs in silver birch leaves affects not only gypsy moth fitness but also their innate immune status which might alter the potential resistance of insects against infections and/or parasitoids.     

Rearing temperature and parasitoid load determine host and parasitoid performance in Manduca sexta and Cotesia congregata

1. Temperature strongly influences the rates of physiological processes in insects, including the herbivore Manduca sexta and its larval endoparasitoid Cotesia congregata. Parasitisation by C. congregata decreases the growth and consumption of food by larval M. sexta. However, the effects of temperature on parasitised caterpillars and the developing wasp larvae are largely unknown. 2. In this study, parasitised and unparasitised caterpillars were reared at three constant temperatures (20, 25 and 30 °C) throughout larval development. Caterpillar mass gain and consumption were monitored daily until wandering (unparasitised control group) or wasp emergence (parasitised group) was observed. Development time and survival to emergence were measured as metrics of parasitoid performance. 3. Parasitised M. sexta developed more slowly than unparasitised controls, but had similar cumulative consumption until the terminal instar. Parasitised caterpillars with relatively large parasitoid loads had higher rates of consumption and growth than those with smaller loads. Both temperature and parasitoid load strongly affected wasp success. Mean development time to wasp emergence increased with low temperatures and with large loads. The combination of warm temperature and large parasitoid loads greatly reduced wasp survival. 4. These results demonstrate the interactive effects of rearing temperature and parasitisation on host consumption and growth rates throughout larval development. In addition, wasp performance was affected by the interaction of temperature and parasitoid load size. High temperatures alter the dynamics of the interaction between the parasitoid and its caterpillar host, which could have far-reaching impacts as the global temperatures continue to rise.     

Parasitoid complex of the Asian gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) in Primorye Territory,Russian Far East

A study of the moth parasitoid complex attacking gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) was carried out in Primorye territory, Russia Far East. Season-long collections at three sites in the Vladivostok area and collections at seven sites of central region of Primorye revealed the 18 primary parasites: one egg parasitoid, 11 larval parasitoids, one larval-pupal parasitoid, one parasitic nematode, one ectoparasitoid, and three diseases including NPV (nuclear polyhedrosis virus) and Entomophaga maimaiga. Phobocampe species (Ichneumonidae) dominated the parasitoid complex, parasitizing 5.5% of the larvae in the Vladivostok area and 9.3% in central Primorye, rates which are much higher than those detected from other Asiatic regions of Russia and Northeastern Asia. The insect parasitoid complex was found to be somewhat depauperate. The 11.8% average total parasitism in eastern Russian is similar to the 12% recorded in the US. Both regions have large gypsy moth outbreaks, but other factors including diseases have compensated for the rather low mortality exerted by the parasitoid complex in the Russian Far East.     

Influences of plant species on life history traits of Cotesia rubecula (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and its host Pieris rapae (Lepidotera: Pieridae)

The relative suitability of four plants was studied for larvae of Pieris rapae L. and its parasitoid Cotesia rubecula (Marshall). For unparasitized P. rapae, pupal dry weight and egg-pupa growth rate were higher on cabbage, radish and nasturtium than on Indian hedge mustard. Larval developmental rate and size were greatest for C. rubecula when its host was feeding on nasturtium. Wasp survival was not affected by the host insect/plant combination in which the parasitoid developed. These results indicate that the plant on which host larvae feed is an important factor in development of the parasitoid.     

Comparing the physiological effects and function of larval feeding in closely‐related endoparasitoids (Braconidae: Microgastrinae)

Abstract The larvae of most endoparasitoid wasps consume virtually all host tissues before pupation. However, in some clades, the parasitoid larvae primarily consume haemolymph and fat body and emerge through the side of the host, which remains alive and active for up to several days. The evolutionary significance of this host‐usage strategy has attracted attention in recent years. Recent empirical studies suggest that the surviving larva guards the parasitoid broods against natural enemies such as predators and hyperparasitoids. Known as the ‘usurpation hypothesis’, the surviving larvae bite, regurgitate fluids from the gut, and thrash the head capsule when disturbed. In the present study, the ‘usurpation hypothesis’ is tested in the association involving Manduca sexta, its parasitoid Cotesia congregata, and a secondary hyperparasitoid Lysibia nana. Percentage parasitoid survival is higher and hyperparasitism lower when cocoons of C. congregata are attached to the dorsum of M. sexta caterpillars. Fat body contents in several associations involving solitary and gregarious parasitoids feeding on haemolymph and fat body are also compared. The amount of fat body retained in parasitized caterpillars varies considerably from one association to another. In M. sexta and Pieris brassicae, considerable amounts of fat body remain after parasitoid emergence whereas, in Cotesia kariyai and Cotesia rufricus, virtually all of the fat body is consumed by the parsasitoid larvae. The length of post‐egression survival of parasitized caterpillars differs considerably in several tested associations. In Pseudeletia separata, most larvae die within a few hours of parasitoid emergence whereas, in M. sexta, parasitized larvae live up to 2 weeks after parasitoid emergence. Larvae in other associations parasitized by gregarious and solitary endoparasitoids live for intermediate periods. The results are discussed in relation to the adaptive significance of different feeding strategies of immature parasitoids and of the costs and benefits of retaining the parasitized caterpillar in close proximity with the parasitoid cocoons.     

Effects of host switching on gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar (L.)) under field conditions

Effects of various single and two species diets on the performance of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar (L.)) were studied when this insect was reared from hatch to population on intact host trees in the field. The tree species used for this study were red oak (Quercus rubra L.), white oak (Q. alba L.), bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata Michaux), and trembling aspen (P. tremuloides Michaux). These are commonly available host trees in the Lake States region. The study spanned two years and was performed at two different field sites in central Michigan. Conclusions drawn from this study include: (1) Large differences in gypsy moth growth and survival can occur even among diet sequences composed of favorable host species. (2) Larvae that spent their first two weeks feeding on red oak performed better during this time period than larvae on all other host species in terms of mean weight, mean relative growth rate (RGR), and mean level of larval development, while larvae on a first host of bigtooth aspen were ranked lowest in terms of mean weight, RGR, and level of larval development. (3) Combination diets do not seem to be inherently better or worse than diets composed of only a single species; rather, insect performance was affected by the types of host species eaten and the time during larval development that these host species were consumed instead of whether larvae ate single species diets or mixed species diets. (4) In diets composed of two host species, measures of gypsy moth performance are affected to different extents in the latter part of the season by the two different hosts; larval weights and development rates show continued effects of the first host fed upon while RGRs, mortality, and pupal weights are affected strongly by the second host type eaten. (5) Of the diets investigated in this study, early feeding on red oak followed by later feeding on an aspen, particularly trembling aspen, is most beneficial to insects in terms of attaining high levels of performance throughout their lives.     

Influence of Dimilin on a microsporidian infection in the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

Bioassay studies were conducted to investigate the influence of Dimilin (diflubenzuron), a chitinsynthetase inhibitor used for insecticidal control of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, on the development and viability of a microsporidian pathogen of L. dispar. Before or after an infection with a Nosema species, L. dispar larvae were fed Dimilin in sublethal dosages. Dimilin fed to L. dispar larvae at 0.65 ng/cm² diet surface resulted in a total larval mortality of 53%. Although the microsporidian infection alone did not cause high mortality rates (9%), mortality increased to 96% when L. dispar larvae were inoculated with both Dimilin and Nosema spores. When Dimilin was fed to the larvae 24 h before or 6 days after inoculation with the microsporidium, the number of mature spores produced was significantly reduced. When Dimilin was fed to the larvae 24 h after microsporidian inoculation, the number of spores produced was not significantly reduced. Spores that were produced in larvae after Dimilin had been ingested with the diet were less infectious than spores produced in control larvae; the experimental infection rate decreased from 94% when spores obtained from control larvae were used, to 48 or 10% when spores obtained from larvae fed Dimilin 24 h or 6 days after Nosema inoculation, respectively, were used. Mature microsporidian spores washed in Dimilin solution prior to oral inoculation, however, were as infectious as spores stored in liquid nitrogen. We have shown that Dimilin interferes with the establishment of the parasite in its host. In addition, when Nosema sp. succeeds in infecting the L. dispar host despite treatment with Dimilin, the microsporidium does not develop optimally and spore production is reduced.     

Diet-switching by gypsy moth: effects of diet nitrogen history vs. switching on growth, consumption, and food utilization

Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)) larvae were reared from hatch on 1.25% N or 3.5% N artificial diet (previous diet) and switched reciprocally to the other diet (current diet) after molting into the second, third, fourth, or fifth instar. The nitrogen concentration of food consumed during previous instars had a strong residual effect on the growth rate in subsequent instars when a diet switch was made during instars two through four, but did not affect growth rate of fifth-instar larvae despite effects on food consumption and utilization. In early instars, larvae reared on 1.25% N artificial diet and then switched to 3.75% N diet had lower mass-adjusted growth rates than larvae continuously reared on 3.75% N diet. Conversely, larvae reared on 3.75% N diet and switched to 1.25% N had higher mass-adjusted growth rates than larvae reared continuously on 1.25% N diet. Relative to larvae previously reared on 1.25% N diet, fifth-instar male larvae previously reared on 3.75% N diet had slightly lower consumption rates, higher net growth efficiency (ECD), and higher gross growth efficiency (ECI). Larvae previously reared on 3.75% N diet tended to have lower food assimilation efficiency (AD) and lower nitrogen assimilation efficiency (AD(N)). Although both previous and current diet nitrogen concentration strongly affected larval growth and food utilization, the interaction term between these was not significant for any response variables except ECD and ECI. Because the interaction term reflects the effect of switching per se, the results indicate that there was a metabolic cost associated with switching, but no inherent net cost or benefit of diet-switching to growth.     

Adult feeding affects fecundity of the predator,Calosoma sycophanta (Col.: Carabidae)

Calosoma sycophanta L. adults were fed either gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) larvae or split grapes for set periods of time while their reproduction was monitored. Few female beetles reproduced unless fed gypsy moth larvae during the first week after they ended hibernation. Even females initially fed grapes that were later fed larvae had reduced reproduction. The implications these results have for relationships between beetle and gypsy moth populations are discussed.