Behavioural and physiological responses of grass grub larvae (Costelytra zealandica) feeding on protease inhibitors |
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| Authors: | J.J. Dymock W. A. Laing B. D. Shaw A. M. R. Gatehouse J. T. Christeller |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Mt Albert Research Centre , N.Z. Pastoral Agriculture Research Institute , Private Bag 92 169, Auckland , New Zealand;2. Batchelar Research Centre , Horticulture &3. Food Research Institute of New Zealand , Private Bag 11 030, Palmerston North , New Zealand;4. Department of Biological Sciences , University of Durham , DH1 3LE, United Kingdom |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Growth of first instar Costelytra zealandica larvae was significantly reduced after 6 weeks when reared on an artificial diet containing 0.3 and 1% soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), 0.1% and 0.3% potato inhibitor II, and 0.3% potato protease inhibitor I and cowpea trypsin inhibitor. Limabean trypsin inhibitor at 1% significantly stimulated growth compared with that on diet with corresponding levels of added casein. A direct relationship between increased free-trypsin activity and decreased larval growth was observed. Sequential measurement of enzyme activity in third instar larvae feeding on SBTI was compared with that of larvae feeding on casein. The increase in enzyme activity was observed after 14 days in larvae feeding on SBTI. Larvae preferred to feed on SBTI-free diet when given a choice between diet containing this inhibitor at 0.3% and added casein at 0.3%. |
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| Keywords: | protease inhibitors grass grub larvae costelytra zealandica |
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