Feeding Performance of Argentine Stem Weevil Is Reduced by Peramine from Perennial Ryegrass Infected with Endophyte Fungus

Abstract

One of the primary supports for extensive agriculture is pasture, which can suffer severe damage from insects including the Argentine stem weevil, Listronotus bonariensis. The main control method has been the infection of ryegrass with an endophyte fungus, forming a symbiotic association that produces alkaloids. In this study, we evaluated the impact of endophyte and peramine production on the weight of L. bonariensis across seven unnamed lines (LE161-LE167), and two Lolium perenne cultivars: Jumbo and Alto AR1. L. bonariensis adults fed on leaves from LE164, LE166, and ALTO AR1 showed weight losses of 13.3%, 17.1% and 18.2%, respectively. Similarly, the corresponding alkaloidal extract from LE164, LE166, and ALTO AR1 exhibited an antifeedant effect on L. bonariensis adults in laboratory assays, as observed through weight loss or low weight gain (−12.5%, 8.8% and 4.9%, respectively). Furthermore, one alkaloid, peramine, also elicited an antifeedant effect when incorporated into an artificial diet. Liquid chromatographic analysis of the alkaloid extract revealed that peramine was present in LE164, LE166 and ALTO AR1 in amounts ranging from 46.5–184.2 ng/g. Peramine was not detected in Jumbo and the remaining experimental lines. These data suggest that L. bonariensis were susceptible to peramine produced from endophyte infection in experimental lines LE164 and LE166, as well as ALTO AR1, affecting their feeding behavior.