Female Preference and Offspring Performance in the Seed Beetle Gibbobruchus bergamini Manfio & Ribeiro-Costa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): A Multi-Scale Comparison

Abstract

The search for and choice of oviposition sites are a key step in the life cycle of herbivorous insects. Theory predicts that natural selection should favor the discrimination ability of female insects to select between high- and low-quality oviposition sites. However, correlation between female preference and offspring performance is apparently lacking or even negative in some herbivore-plant systems. A possible explanation for this seeming failure is that most studies have focused on a single factor and spatial scale. Here, we investigated the preference-performance relationship in the seed beetle Gibbobruchus bergamini Manfio & Ribeiro-Costa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). We took into account several potential factors affecting oviposition choices and larval survivorship through a multi-level approach. Hierarchical analysis that controlled for the non-independence of observations demonstrated that oviposition site choices were not related to the factors that most influenced larval survivorship. The apparent effects of other pod-feeding herbivores were greater at the plant and branch scales while at the pod level the most important factors were plant-related variables. Oviposition choices seemed to be time-constrained, meaning that females have little opportunity to further increase offspring performance through additional compensatory choices.

Contrasting patterns of host selection and performance of insect seed predators on three sympatric host plant species

“…The restricted mobility of the immature stages of these endogenous predator insects (EPIs) relies on the selection of suitable oviposition sites by females as the larvae development is strongly affected by where the female decides to oviposit (Bergamini & Almeida‐Neto, 2015; González‐Teuber et al, 2008). In general, the quality and quantity of food ingested by immature stages of holometabolous insects are positively related to their adult body mass and the number of offspring produced by females (Boggs, & Freeman, KD., 2005; Fox & Dingle, 1994).…”

“…In general, the quality and quantity of food ingested by immature stages of holometabolous insects are positively related to their adult body mass and the number of offspring produced by females (Boggs, & Freeman, KD., 2005; Fox & Dingle, 1994). Several studies report a positive relationship between seed size and body weight of adult EPIs (e.g., Canto et al, 2019; Souza & Fagundes, 2017; Tuber et al, 2008) and the number of eggs or offspring produced by females (Bergamini & Almeida‐Neto, 2015; Pereira et al, 2014; Tuber et al, 2008). Hence, seed size may be an important attribute for the selection of oviposition sites by females as it affects the performance of EPIs.…”

Host-mediated, cross-generational intraspecific competition in a herbivore species

“…Mated females may also detect herbivoryinduced changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of attacked plants, and consequently avoid laying eggs on less suitable plants. However, several authors reported a mismatch between prior herbivory effects on female oviposition preference vs larval growth, consumption or survival of their offspring (Wise & Weinberg, 2002;Bergamini & Almeida-Neto, 2015;Martinez et al, 2017;Godinho et al, 2020). For instance, Weeraddana and Evenden (2019) found that herbivory by the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on canola plants (Brassica napus L.) had no effect on subsequent oviposition by the bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) whereas its larvae had reduced growth on previously damaged plants.…”

Host-mediated, cross-generational intraspecific competition in a herbivore species

“…For instance, prior damage by the western tent caterpillar Malacosoma californicum Packard (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) induces the regrowth of tougher leaves acting as physical defenses and reducing the fitness of the next tent caterpillars generation (Barnes & Murphy, 2018). However, several authors reported a mismatch between prior herbivory effects on female oviposition preference vs larval growth, consumption or survival of their offspring (Wise & Weinberg, 2002;Bergamini & Almeida-Neto, 2015;Martinez et al, 2017). For instance, Weeraddana and Evenden (2019) found that herbivory by the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on canola plants (Brassica napus L.) had no effect on subsequent oviposition by the bertha armyworm, Mamestra configurata Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) whereas its larvae had reduced growth on previously damaged plants.…”