Prey Specificity in Chrysopa: An Interspecific Comparison of Larval Feeding and Defensive Behavior

Abstract

To examine pathways in the evolution of prey specialization in insects, we conducted a comparative experimental analysis of larval behavior in two sympatric predacious sister-species (Chrysopa quadripunctata, a generalist, and C. slossonae, a specialist on the woolly alder aphid). Responses of the larvae to food (Myzus persicae) and camouflaging material (waxy secretions from woolly alder aphids or exuviae from M. persicae) were quantified during four discrete developmental periods. Our analysis revealed speciesspecific, ontogenetic, and environmentally induced variation in larval defensive and feeding behavior. The pattern of interspecific variation indicates that larval behavior could have subserved two processes in the evolution of prey specialization in the sister-species' progenitor: establishment on a specific prey and adaptation to the prey. First, the presence of the woolly alder aphid's secretions results in generalist larvae camouflaging themselves to a degree that rivals that of the specialist. Such phenotypic plasticity could have promoted the progenitor's initial adoption of the ant-tended woolly alder aphid as prey and its wool as a source of camouflaging material. Second, quantitative differences between the generalist's and specialist's behavior indicate that adaptation to the woolly alder aphid did not require the acquisition of novel behavioral traits in the larvae. It involved modifications in the expression of defensive behavior that existed in the generalist ancestor and alterations in the ability to attack and feed on robust prey.

Adaptations of Coccinella magnifica, a myrmecophilous coccinellid to aggression by wood ants (Formica rufa group). II. Larval behaviour, and ladybird oviposition location1

“…Such modifications of behavioural expression are undoubtedly far more common than the evolution of entirely novel behaviours. The case of C. magnifica and C. septempunctata bears noteworthy similarities to the case of the myrmecophilous chrysopid Chrysopa slossonae Banks and its non-myrmecophilous sibling species Chrysopa quadripunctata Burmeister, in this respect (see Milbrath et al, 1993).…”

Early evolution and ecology of camouflage in insects

“…Animal trash packet components include invertebrate remains such as prey carcasses, insect exuviae (even their own), or snail shells and also waxy secretions from aphids and mealybugs (14,15,18,19). Nonanimal elements include vegetal matter such as bark pieces, plant fibers, or leaf trichomes, as well as terrestrial algae, lichens, and other accidental elements like moss gametophytes, pollen, and fungal spores (16,20,21).…”

Los crisópidos de la Península Ibérica y Baleares (Insecta, Neuropterida, Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

“…39: Pupa of P. prasinus. Adapted from (Feytaud, 1913;Okamoto, 1919;Smith, 1921;Withycombe, 1922Withycombe, , 1923Matsuda, 1928Matsuda, , 1929Briand, 1931;Edwards, 1932;Putman, 1932;Killington, 1936;Toschi, 1965;New, 1988b;Milbrath et al, 1993Milbrath et al, , 1994Legaspi et al, 1994Legaspi et al, , 1996El Arnaouty et al, 1996;Miller et al, 2004, etc.). recopilan interesante información sobre el tipo y cantidad de presas consumidas en diferentes observaciones, y Monserrat & Díaz-Aranda (2012) para algunas de nuestras especies.…”

“…37), que suelen ser menos activas, con un típico movimiento de balanceo 20 Monserrat lateral cuando se desplazan, y en ellas son frecuentes la presencia de especiales elementos, setación especializada, tubérculos con setas, frecuentemente ganchudas, etc., para fijar estos elementos exógenos, tanto en el tórax, como en el abdomen (Figs. 37,57,(70)(71)(72)(73)(74)(75) (Eisner et al, 1978(Eisner et al, , 2002Monserrat, 1984cEisner & Silberglied, 1988;Hölzel & Monserrat, 1992;Milbrath et al, 1993Milbrath et al, , 1994Díaz-Aranda & Monserrat, 1996; Figs. 40-43.-Terminología de la quetotaxia y pigmentación cefálica de las larvas de Chrysopidae: 40: cabeza (vista dorsal), 41: ídem (vista ventral).…”