The performance of Melolontha grubs on the roots of various plant species

Abstract

Melolontha grubs are polyphagous and are adapted to feeding on plants of varying nutritional value. Our research sought to investigate whether host plant quality affects first-instar grub development, weight gain, or mortality. Ten plant taxa of the families Polygonaceae, Brassicaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Pinaceae were tested. The quality of each plant species was estimated based on the root content of phenols, condensed tannins, soluble sugars, starch, nitrogen, and carbon. Retarded development, high mortality, and low weight gain were observed in grubs feeding on roots of Fagopyrum esculentum, Brassica rapa subsp. rapifera, and B. napus, whereas Tanacetum vulgare, Trifolium repens, and Lupinus polyphyllus roots proved to be the most beneficial for larval performance. Weight gain was positively correlated with the concentration of soluble sugars and starch in the plant roots. Starch was also positively correlated with the percentage of molted grubs. The revealed positive correlations may be explained by the fact that nonstructural sugars constitute an energy source that is essential for grub movement in the soil. Plant species that negatively affect cockchafer grubs may be used in integrated plant protection against these pests in agriculture, horticulture, and, to some extent, in forestry, e.g., in nurseries and postagricultural lands.

Root volatiles in plant–plant interactions II: Root volatiles alter root chemistry and plant–herbivore interactions of neighbouring plants

“…officinale is often attacked by larvae of M . melolontha (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae; Huber, Bont, et al, ), a highly polyphagous root feeder (Hauss & Schütte, ; Sukovata, Jaworski, Karolewski, & Kolk, ). Previous work found that the interaction between T .…”

“…and its interaction with the common cockchafer Melolontha melolontha. In grasslands across Europe, T. officinale is often attacked by larvae of M. melolontha (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae; Huber, Bont, et al, 2016), a highly polyphagous root feeder (Hauss & Schütte, 1976;Sukovata, Jaworski, Karolewski, & Kolk, 2015). Previous work found that the interaction between T. officinale and M. melolontha is modulated by the presence of sympatric plant species (Huang, Zwimpfer, Hervé, Bont, & Erb, 2018).…”

Functionalized iron oxide/SBA-15 sorbent: investigation of adsorption performance towards glyphosate herbicide

“…A serious problem in Poland are also soil pests, especially grubs, including larvae of the widely widespread herbivorous May bug (Melolontha melolontha L.), a beetle from the Scarabaeidae family (Milenkovic and Stanisavljevic 2003;Totic 2014;Skrzecz et al 2014;Sukovata et al 2015). Other insects affecting raspberry crops are the raspberry beetle (Byturus tomentosus De Geer), the twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch), and the blossom weevil (Anthonomus rubi Herbst).…”

Distinct defense strategies allow different grassland species to cope with root herbivore attack

“…Together, these results suggest that T.481 repens becomes resistant to M. melolontha because of low digestibility associated with high 23 the fact that T. officinale roots re nutrient rich. In an interspecific study,Sukovata et al (2015) 486 showed that M. melolontha larvae grow better on plants that are more sugar-rich. Although 487 latex defenses protect T. officinale to a certain degree by prompting larvae to move to congeners 488 with lower latex defense levels(Bont et al, 2017;Huber et al, 2016), this form of resistance is 489 not sufficient for T. officinale to avoid attack by M. melolontha in the field.…”