Variable correspondence of female host preference and larval performance in a phytophagous ladybird beetle Epilachna pustulosa (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) |
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Authors: | Naoyuki Fujiyama Haruo Katakura |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Systematics and Evolution, Division of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan |
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Abstract: | Genetic and environmental factors causing intraspecific variation of the thistle Cirsium kamtschaticum Ledeb. as a host plant of the phytophagous ladybird Epilachna pustulosa Kôno were investigated through simple food-choice tests and rearing of larvae. Two thistle clones (T1U1 and T4H2) were used, originally growing approximately 12 km apart. A previous study showed that adult female ladybirds preferred T1U1 to T4H2, and that larval performance was better on T1U1, when leaves from the clones in situ were examined. The two clones retained their characteristics with respect to beetle preference after transplantation into a common garden. However, the difference between T1U1 and T4H2 with respect to larval performance was reduced after the transplantation. When leaves from shoots of T1U1 exposed to different sunlight intensities were offered, adult female ladybirds did not show obvious preferences. Larval eclosion rates increased significantly with the increase in leaf sunlight intensity exposure. These results suggest strongly that both genetic and environmental factors are involved in interclonal variation of thistle quality in beetle preference and/or performance. It is suggested that the quality of thistle leaves for larval performance is largely affected by environmental factors, while leaf quality for beetle preference may be determined strictly by genetic factors. Under certain conditions, E. pustulosa females may behave maladaptively, preferring plants not appropriate for larval growth, or not choosing plants appropriate for the larval growth. |
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Keywords: | adult preference Cirsium kamtschaticum Epilachna pustulosa larval performance preference– performance correspondence |
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