The role of herbivore‐ and plant‐related experiences in intraspecific host preference of a relatively specialized parasitoid

Zhu

et al. 2022

IJMS

As a consequence of long-term coevolution and natural selection, the leaves of mulberry (Morus alba) trees have become the best food source for silkworms (Bombyx mori). Nevertheless, the molecular and genomic basis of defense response remains largely unexplored. In the present study, we assessed changes in the transcriptome changes of mulberry in response to silkworm larval feeding at 0, 3, and 6 h. A total of 4709 (up = 2971, down = 1738) and 3009 (up = 1868, down = 1141) unigenes were identified after 3 and 6 h of silkworm infestation, respectively. MapMan enrichment analysis results show structural traits such as leaf surface wax, cell wall thickness and lignification form the first physical barrier to feeding by the silkworms. Cluster analysis revealed six unique temporal patterns of transcriptome changes. We predicted that mulberry promoted rapid changes in signaling and other regulatory processes to deal with mechanical damage, photosynthesis impairment, and other injury caused by herbivores within 3–6 h. LRR-RK coding genes (THE1, FER) was predicted participated in perception of cell wall perturbation in mulberry responding to silkworm feeding. Ca2+ signal sensors (CMLs), ROS (OST1, SOS3), RBOHD/F, CDPKs, and ABA were part of the regulatory network after silkworm feeding. Jasmonic acid (JA) signal transduction was predicted to act in silkworm feeding response, 10 JA signaling genes (such as OPR3, JAR1, and JAZ1) and 21 JA synthesis genes (such as LOX2, AOS, and ACX1) were upregulated after silkworm feeding for 3 h. Besides, genes of “alpha-Linolenic acid metabolism” and “phenylpropanoid biosynthesis” were activated in 3 h to reprogram secondary metabolism. Collectively, these findings provided valuable insights into silkworm herbivory-induced regulatory and metabolic processes in mulberry, which might help improve the coevolution of silkworm and mulberry.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Key Defense Genes and Mechanisms in Mulberry (Morus alba) Leaves against Silkworms (Bombyx mori)

Zhu

et al. 2022

IJMS

“…According to the literature, the sex ratio of Hymenopteran is influenced by factors such as diet (Ongaratto et al, 2019), instar (Poncio et al, 2018;Chu et al, 2014), superparasitism (Alvarenga, Dias, Stuhl, & Sivinski, 2015) and size/age of the host (Van Nieuwenhove & Ovruski, 2011;Ueno, 2015). Also, chemical cues are associated with the host characteristics, such as feces (Faraone, Svensson, & Anderbrant, 2017) and its ability to feed on different host plants (Morawo & Fadamiro, 2019). According to the present results, female M. anticarsiae individuals parasitize A. gemmatalis larvae at the end of the first and at the beginning of the second instar; these are the most favorable periods for parasitism for two reasons: larvae attach to the substrate at the end of the first instar and stop feeding, and the larvae stops moving at this point, M. anticarsiae has the advantage in parasitizing immobilized larvae; second reason, larvae remain weak at the beginning of the second instar and are easily exposed to parasitism -parasitoids can take advantage of this weak condition.…”

Section: Sex Ratio and Development Time Of M Anticarsiae Parasitizinmentioning

confidence: 99%

The sex ratio of the koinobiont parasitoid Microcharops anticarsiae Gupta remains female-biased on young larvae of velvetbean in the laboratory environment

Aguirre-Gil

Souza²,

Funichello

et al. 2020

Acta Sci. Biol. Sci.

The natural parasitic behavior of parasitoids should be known by those in charge of planning strategies for the biological control of pests; therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the larval instar of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner parasitized by Microcharops anticarsiae Gupta in the field and the implication of such parasitic behavior in the sex ratio in the laboratory environment. The length of each larval instar of A. gemmatalis parasitized by M. anticarsiae in the field was determined, and the egg-to-pupa period of the parasitoid and its larval instar lengths were plotted in Gantt charts. According to the chart, A. gemmatalis was parasitized at the first (15%) and second (85%) larval instars in the field, but the length of the first, second and third larval instars of this species was not affected by the parasitism by M. anticarsiae in the field; however, its fourth larval instar was extended and the fifth one was shortened in 2015 but not affected in 2016. The sex ratio of A. gemmatalis larvae parasitized by M. anticarsiae in the field was female-biased, and the sex ratio of early parasitized larvae (3-day old) in the laboratory environment was also female-biased for three cultivated generations. The ‘generation’ factor has affected the egg-to-pupa, pupal and egg-to-adult periods of M. anticarsiae, since females pupated earlier than males in the egg-to-pupa period. Based on the results, M. anticarsiae mostly parasitized the second larval instar of A. gemmatalis in the field, and parasitism in 3-day old larvae in the laboratory environment produced female-biased sex ratio in M. anticarsiae, regardless of the generation.

Entomologia Exp Applicata

“…Predator–prey interactions lead to adaptations in the behavior of species to optimize foraging and increase the energy efficiency of other vital processes (Hassell & May, 1986; Futuyma & Moreno, 1988; Stiling, 1988; Schenk & Bacher, 2002). Nevertheless, in most cases, studies on higher trophic levels are restricted to insect parasitoids (Vinson, 1976; Morawo & Fadamiro, 2019). This may be due to their oligophagous feeding habit and the necessity to feed on many prey species to complete development (Hassell & May, 1986).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral responses of the lady beetles Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and Tenuisvalvae notata to specific mealybug prey

De La Pava,

da Silva Torres,

Bento

2024

Lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are important biocontrol agents that are considered generalist predators, although some tribes, such as Scymnini, are specialized in predation of sucking pests, such as mealybugs, aphids, and whiteflies. However, prey preference or pre‐imaginal conditioning may occur as coccinellids are subjected to large‐scale rearing. Thus, predator–prey interaction may be an outcome of conditioning to prey stimuli. To evaluate possible pre‐imaginal conditioning, population lines were created for the lady beetles Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant and Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant), each fed for at least eight generations the mealybugs Ferrisia dasylirii (Cockrell) or Planococcus citri Risso (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Next, the behavioral response of these coccinellids was measured in arenas treated with prey volatiles or footprints, regarding walking time, walking speed, walking distance, and residence time. Finally, food preference between prey species was measured in laboratory and semi‐field conditions on infested cotton plants. Conditioned coccinellids responded similarly to volatiles released by either prey species offered. Furthermore, there were no changes in predator behavior towards footprints of either prey species. Both predator species consumed more P. citri in all tests, regardless of rearing prey indicating no pre‐imaginal conditioning. These results suggest that rearing prey may not affect the predator behavior, and both coccinellid species are effective in the biological control of mealybugs.