Influence of wild, local and cultivated tobacco varieties on the oviposition preference and offspring performance ofSpodoptera litura

Abstract

The influences of different plants on herbivores have recently attracted research interest; however, little is known regarding the effects of wild, local and cultivated varieties of the same plant from the same origin on herbivores. This study aimed to examine the effects of different tobacco varieties from the same origin on the oviposition preference and offspring performance of Spodoptera litura. We selected two wild (‘Bishan wild tobacco’ and ‘Badan wild tobacco’), two local (‘Liangqiao sun-cured tobacco’ and ‘Shuangguan sun-cured tobacco’) and two cultivated (‘Xiangyan No. 5’ and ‘Cunsanpi’) tobacco varieties from Hunan Province, China. We found that female S. litura varied in oviposition preferences across the tobacco varieties. They preferred to lay eggs on the cultivated varieties, followed by the local varieties, with the wild varieties being the least preferred. Furthermore, different tobacco varieties significantly influenced the life history parameters of S. litura. Survival rate, pupal weight, emergence rate and adult dry weight decreased in the following order: cultivated varieties > local varieties > wild varieties. Conversely, the pupal stage and development period decreased in the following order: wild varieties > local varieties > cultivated varieties. Therefore, we conclude that wild tobacco varieties have higher resistance to S. litura than cultivated and local varieties, reflecting the evolutionary advantages of wild tobacco varieties.

Effects of wild, local, and cultivated tobacco varieties on the performance of Spodoptera litura and its parasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis

“…3 Parasitoids locate host larvae mainly through their olfactory receptors and visual organs. [1][2]7,29 Parasitoids can sense distinct combinations of volatile organic compounds in plants through their olfactory organs; they can also recognize the shape, color, and size of the host larvae and plants through their visual organs; thus, they can accurately locate specific host larvae. 45,46 The coevolution of herbivores and wild plants ensures reproductive success of the herbivores and herbivore resistance of the plants.…”

“…27,28 Tobacco is attacked by various kinds of pests, among which Spodoptera litura (tobacco cutworm) is particularly harmful, significantly reducing the economic value of tobacco. 20,29 At present, the damage caused by S. litura is mitigated primarily by chemical control. However, amid the rising concerns about the influence of pesticide residues on the environment, high-quality insect-resistant tobacco germplasm resources are being screened to exploit their resistance to insects and to find new approaches to effectively control S. litura infestation.…”

“…Through long natural selection and domestication, abundant tobacco germplasm resources now exist in China, including cultivated varieties, local varieties, and wild species 27,28 . Tobacco is attacked by various kinds of pests, among which Spodoptera litura (tobacco cutworm) is particularly harmful, significantly reducing the economic value of tobacco 20,29 . At present, the damage caused by S. litura is mitigated primarily by chemical control.…”