Performance consequences of food mixing in two passion vine leaf-footed bugs, Holymenia clavigera (Herbst, 1784) and Anisoscelis foliacea marginella (Dallas, 1852) (Hemiptera; Coreidae)

Abstract

Holymenia clavigera (Herbst) and Anisoscelis foliacea marginella (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Coreidae: Anisoscelini) are distributed in southern Brazil and use various passion vine species (Passifloraceae) as host-plants. Preliminary observations indicate a high coexistence of these species in terms of host-plant use; in addition, there is a strong similarity regarding egg and nymph morphology. In this study, the most suitable feeding sites for nymph performance on wild (Passiflora suberosa Linnaeus and Passiflora misera Humbold, Bonpland et Kunth) and cultivated (Passiflora edulis Sims) hosts were determined by rearing them on each host and on the combination of hosts. Performance was determined by evaluating nymph development and survivorship, and adult size at emergence. Plant parts used were also recorded. For both species, P. suberosa was the most suitable host plant. First instar nymphs of both species fed on terminal buds more frequently when compared to other plant parts. Second instar nymphs switched to green fruits, whose behavior was more pronounced for H. clavigera. Thus, H. clavigera and A. foliacea marginella immatures are extremely similar in terms of host-plant use and consequences for performance, in addition to their morphological similarity. We suggest that these coreids may have evolved through several processes, including parsimony between the immature stages after speciation, evolutionary convergence, mimicry or genetic drift.

Leaf-Footed Bugs (Coreidae)

“…Nymphs are usually observed on buds or fruits. When two species of oligophagous anisoscelines were offered a mixed diet of Passifl ora spp., food preference (species and tissue) changed with instar (Rodrigues et al 2007b ). Polyphagous species [e.g., Leptoglossus phyllopus (L.)] may move generationally among host plants, tracking plant reproductive structures (Mitchell 2006 ).…”

“…Rearing experiments showed the wild host, P. suberosa , to be optimal for growth and development compared with cultivated passion fruit, P. edulis . A mix of vegetative and reproductive structures is used, and plant part preference changes over the course of development (Rodrigues et al 2007b(Rodrigues et al , 2008. Detailed histological studies of feeding sites showed mainly penetration to xylem in mature leaves, whereas several sites within the fruit were targeted, including pericarp, aril (pulp), endosperm, and embryo (Rodrigues et al 2007a ).…”

Biologia de Holhymenia rubiginosa Breddin (Hemiptera: Coreidae) em Passiflora alata (Passifloraceae)

“…O terceiro e quarto ínstares tiveram duração intermediária (F = 60,5066; P < 0,0001) (Fig 2). O primeiro ínstar tem sido relatado como o de menor duração em diversos coreídeos (Amaral Filho & Storti Filho 1976, Baldin & Boiça Jr 1999, Caetano & Boiça Jr 2000, Rodrigues 2003.…”

“…Os indivíduos de H. rubiginosa são muito ágeis e o acondicionamento em um espaço limitado, com alimentação monoespecífi ca e de somente partes vegetativas, pode ter reduzido o potencial reprodutivo registrado no presente estudo, uma vez que, em ambiente natural, representantes desse gênero costumam alimentar-se de todas as partes da planta (Francelli & Almeida 2002, Rodrigues 2003.…”