Carry-over effect of host nutritional quality on performance of spruce budworm progeny

Abstract

The effect of host nutritional quality on spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens)) parental and offspring performance was studied using field and laboratory rearing experiments, and foliar chemical analyses. Foliage of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and black spruce (P. mariana (Mill.) BSP) was used to rear the parental generation in the field, whereas an artificial diet was used to rear the progeny under laboratory conditions. Important differences in the food quality were provided by the three hosts. Black spruce foliage had higher concentrations of certain monoterpene deterrents and total phenolics, together with stronger seasonal declines in nutrients such as N, P and Mg, compared with the other hosts. We hypothesise that this trend may be related to poor performance and survival of the progeny. Laboratory rearing showed that progeny of parents that fed on black spruce exhibited longer developmental times and greater mortality, and had lower pupal mass than progeny of parents fed on the other hosts. Further, artificial food-fed progeny of insects reared on black spruce reached sixth-instar later, with lower mass, and exhibited higher relative growth rate (RGR) than progeny of parents fed on the other hosts. These results suggest nutritionally-based parental effects. These results also confirmed that the quality of food consumed by the parents can influence the fitness of the next generation.

Life-History Consequences of Chronic Nutritional Stress in an Outbreaking Insect Defoliator

“…When outbreaking insects reach high densities, however, larvae commonly feed on low quality foliage for several generations. In C. fumiferana direct negative effects of defoliation on larval performance [23], [25] as well as on the following generation through maternal effects [26], [27] are well documented. There is increasing recognition from theoretical studies and empirical evidence that density dependent reduction in foliage quality is an important intrinsic cause underlying outbreak declines in insects [8]–[13].…”

“…After several consecutive years of C. fumiferana defoliation, balsam fir foliage has increased amounts of raw fibre which negatively affects C. fumiferana development and survival [25]. Trans-generational effects are also likely to magnify chronic nutritional stress as parental nutritional stress carries over to the next generation: in the laboratory C. fumiferana parents that were fed low quality food laid few viable eggs and their offspring had increased mortality [26], [27]. Similarly, females mated with males that fed on a low quality diet had reduced fecundity [28].…”

Demographic Analysis of the Fitness of <I>Problepsis superans</I> (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) Feeding on Three Ligustrum (Lamiales: Oleaceae) Species

“…A plantÕs nutritional quality, secondary metabolites, and morphological condition can affect the survival, population growth, and fecundity of herbivorous insects (Agrawal 2000, Dent 2000, Dicke 2000, Awmack and Leather 2002, White 2005, Hwang et al 2008, Fuentealba and Bauce 2012. The population growth parameters of P. superans varied in response to the three ligustrum species.…”

Spruce budworm feeding and oviposition are stimulated by monoterpenes in white spruce epicuticular waxes

“…One Petri dish lid was placed in each end chamber of the 3 chamber assay arena. The final concentration of monoterpenes on the paper discs is 58 mg/g, which is close to the top of the range of total monoterpene concentrations measured in P. glauca foliage (Mattson et al ., ; Fuentealba & Bauce, ).…”

“…They clearly play an important part in oleoresin defense against stem‐feeding bark beetles (Seybold et al ., ), but their role in defense against folivorous caterpillars is less well established. Studies suggest that the notorious defoliating budworms ( Choristoneura species) exhibit poorer performance on trees with high monoterpene concentrations in the foliage (Redak & Cates, ; Cates & Redak, ; Bauce et al ., ; Carisey & Bauce, ; Fuentealba & Bauce, ).…”