Behavioral adaptations of two phytophagous insects feeding on two species of phototoxic Asteraceae |
| |
Authors: | Gabriel Guillet Marie-Ève Lavigne Bernard J R Philogène J Thor Arnason |
| |
Institution: | (1) Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, University of Ottawa, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada;(2) Ecole Secondaire Catholique Garneau, J1C 1J4 Orléans, Ontario, Canada;(3) Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, K1N 6N5 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| |
Abstract: | Two phototoxic plants of the Asteraceae family were studied in relation to species of phytophagous insects for which they are hosts:Argyrotaenia velutinana Wlk. feeding onChrysanthemum leucanthemum L. andChlorochlamys chloroleucaria (Guenée) colonizingRudbeckia hirta L. The toxicity of these two plants is related to the presence of acetylenes and thiophenes that induce a light-mediated production of deleterious singlet oxygen and other free radicals (phototoxicity). Results showed that females ofA. velutinana laid their eggs preferentially in the shade and the larvae adopted hiding behaviors, such as bending of ligulate corollas and silk spinning to build opaque shelters. By avoiding direct exposure to the sun, both behaviors may reduce phototoxicity associated with ingested plant materials. Furthermore, larvae ofC. chloroleucaria demonstrated a preference in the field for pollen, which constitutes a nonphototoxic tissue of their host plant. Experimental alterations of these specific behaviors induced important biological consequences for larvae of both insects such as mortality or reduction of larval growth rate. These results reinforce the idea that behavior may constitute an efficient adaptation to avoid phototoxicity. |
| |
Keywords: | phototoxin behavioral adaptation plant-insect interaction Chrysanthemum Rudbeckia |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|