Contrasting effects of sewage sludge and commercial fertilizer on egg to adult development of two herbivorous insect species

Abstract

Municipal sewage sludge containing heavy metals had a toxic effect on the development of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), one of two herbivorous insects commonly found in an Ohio old-field which had been subjected to long-term sewage sludge application. Soils were removed in 1992 from an old-field following 11 years of heavy nutrient enrichment (1978 to 1988) with applications of either sewage sludge (Milorganite(®)) containing heavy metal contaminants or urea-phosphate fertilizer. Egg to adult development rate and survival of the blackfaced leafhopper, Graminella nigrifrons (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), and the cabbage looper was determined on maize (leafhopper) and broccoli (looper) seedlings grown in soils from sludge-treated, fertilizer-treated, or untreated control plots of the old-field. Fertilizer and sludgetreated soils had higher levels of N. P and organic matter, and a lower pH than the untreated control soils, while sludge-treated soils contained significantly higher concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Maize appeared to be unaffected by the three soil treatments, and survival and rate of egg to adult development of the leafhopper was not affected. Broccoli seedlings grown in both the high nutrient fertilizer and sludge soils were greener and larger than broccoli grown in control soils. However, the cabbage looper had significant larval and pupal mortality (25 to 40%) and prolonged egg to adult development on sludge-grown broccoli compared to control and fertilizer treatments. As assimilation into the food chain of heavy metals and other organic pollutants, such as PCBs, is in part a function of the interaction of soil chemistry and type of plant, the application of municipal sludges to old-fields needs to be carefully monitored, as contaminants may have significant developmental and behavioural effects on some secondary links in the old-field food chain.

Effects of the Heavy Metal Cu<SUP>2+</SUP> on Growth, Development, and Population Dynamics of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

“…However, continuous feeding of 50 mg/kg Cu 2ϩ to S. litura larvae may have resulted in Cu accumulation, which caused the lower rates of survival in the later instars, during pupation, and moth emergence, which ultimately led to other negative effects on fecundity and fertility. This was similar to the results of previous reports (Larsen et al 1994, Kazimirova et al 1997, Shirley and Sibly 1999). Accordingly, we assume that populations of S. litura can be reduced by feeding them plants heavily contaminated with Cu.…”

“…Previous research demonstrated that the larval survival rate, pupation rate, and adult emergence rate of S. litura of different generations decreased with the increase of heavy metal Ni 2ϩ stress . Similarly, higher concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn led to a higher mortality of the larvae and pupa of Trichoplusia ni (Hü bner) (Larsen et al 1994). Moreover, the larval survival rate of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen also decreased under the stress of heavy metal Cd 2ϩ (Shirley and Sibly 1999).…”

Nickel accumulation and its effects on the survival rate of Spodoptera litura fabricius under continuous nickel stress

“…Similarly, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) also had significant higher larval and pupal mortality under copper, zinc, cadmium and lead stress [22] ; as well, Drosophila melanogaster juvenile survivorship also decreased under cadmium stress [23] . There was no significant difference in survival rate of different developmental stages from the 1st generation in comparison with control, but significant difference was observed between treatments with higher doses and lower doses of nickel from the 2nd and 3rd generation.…”

Nutrient content affecting Spodoptera frugiperda and Dalbulus maidis occurrence in corn

“…High concentrations of copper also increases the activity of the enzyme poliphenoloxidase which is responsible for the conversion of phenolic compounds into quinones, which are positively correlated with the reduction of plant susceptibility to herbivores (Taiz & Zeiger, 1991). Larsen et al (1994) verified that the fertilization of corn and broccoli with organic residue enriched with cadmium, copper, plumber and zinc increased the larval and pupal mortality of Trichoplusia ni (Hübn.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).…”