Variation of life‐history traits of the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis in relation to temperature and geographical latitude

Abstract

Life‐history traits from four geographical populations (tropical Ledong population [LD], subtropical Guangzhou [GZ] and Yongxiu populations, and temperate Langfang population [LF]) of the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis were investigated at a wide range of temperatures (20–32°C). The larval and pupal times were significantly decreased with increasing rearing temperature, and growth rate was positively correlated with temperature. The relationship between body weight and rearing temperature in O. furnacalis did not follow the temperature–size rule (TSR); all populations exhibited the highest pupal and adult weights at high temperatures or intermediate temperatures. However, development time, growth rate, and body weight did not show a constant latitudinal gradient. Across all populations at each temperature, female were significantly bigger than males, showing a female‐biased sexual size dimorphism (SSD). Contrary to Rensch's rule, the SSD tended to increase with rising temperature. The subtropical GZ population exhibited the largest degree of dimorphism while the temperate LF exhibited the smallest. Male pupae lose significantly more weight at metamorphosis compared to females. The proportionate weight losses of different populations were significantly different. Adult longevity was significantly decreased with increasing temperature. Between sexes, all populations exhibit a rather female‐biased adult longevity. Finally, we discuss the adaptive significance of higher temperature‐inducing high body weight in the moth's life history and why the moth exhibits the reverse TSR.

Live fast, die old: oxidative stress as a potential mediator of an unexpected life‐history evolution

“…To summarize, we documented strong latitudinal differentiation in larval growth rate and in adult lifespan, with longer lifespans in the faster growing low‐latitude populations. Our study complements several other common garden studies with insects reporting latitudinal variation in adult lifespan (Schmidt et al , Munch and Salinas , Xiao et al , Debecker et al , Durmaz et al ), yet the mechanistic basis for the reported patterns are typically unknown. Notably, Hong and Shurin (), showed that the faster growing high‐latitude populations of a copepod suffered a reduced lifespan compared to the slower growing low‐latitude populations.…”

Expression of alternative developmental pathways in the cabbage butterfly, Pieris melete and their differences in life history traits

“…However, increasing evidence has shown that the reverse TSR in insects is also common. For example, reversals of the TSR have been found in four species of mayfly (Atkinson, ); four species of British grasshoppers (Willott & Hassall, ); the tropical butterfly, Bicyclus anynana (Fischer, Bot, & Brakefield, ); the small cabbage white, butterfly, Pieris rapae (Kingsolver, Massie, Ragland, & Smith, ); the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (He, Tang, Huang, Gao, & Xue, ; Xiao et al, ); and the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Fu, He, Zhou, Xiao, & Xue, ; Huang, Xiao, He, & Xue, ). As such, why do some insect species follow the TSR and some exhibit the reverse TSR?…”

“…Those species with summer diapause may exhibit the TSR, as indicated by the cabbage beetle, C. bowringi (Tang, He, Chen, Fu, & Xue, ) and this butterfly, P. melete because their reproductive periods occur in the spring and autumn and because these insects have experienced strong selection for body size under relatively low environmental temperatures during the process of evolution. Those species with winter diapause triggered by shortening day lengths combined with high autumn temperatures may exhibit the reverse TSR, as indicated by the Asian corn borer, O. furnacalis (He et al, ; Xiao et al, ), and the rice stem borer, C. suppressalis (Fu et al, ; Huang et al, ). These two species enter winter diapause in response to high autumn temperatures and experience strong selection for body size under warm conditions.…”

“…Ostrinia furnacalis (He, Tang, Huang, Gao, & Xue, 2019;Xiao et al, 2016); and the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Fu, He, Zhou, Xiao, & Xue, 2016;Huang, Xiao, He, & Xue, 2018). As such, why do some insect species follow the TSR and some exhibit the reverse TSR?…”

“…We speculate whether an insect species follows the TSR or not may be related to its diapause characteristic. Those species with summer diapause may exhibit the TSR, as indicated by the cabbage beetle, C. bowringi (Tang, He, Chen, Fu, & Xue, 2017) Xiao et al, 2016), and the rice stem borer, C. suppressalis (Fu et al, 2016;Huang et al, 2018). These two species enter winter diapause in response to high autumn temperatures and experience strong selection for body size under warm conditions.…”