Effect of different host substrates on hemipteran salivary protein profiles*

Abstract

Three species of phytophagous insects (Empoasca fabae, E. abrupta and Lygus hesperus) and one species of entomophagous insect (Podisus maculiventris) were transferred from rearing hosts to treatment hosts (THs). After feeding on the THs, the insects were transferred to collection diet sachets (CD) for saliva recovery. The collected salivary proteins were analysed by gel electrophoresis. Different salivary protein profiles were observed for E. fabae and E. abrupta when fed on the same diet. Within species, in the protein profile of E. fabae, more bands were visible from insects fed on broad bean [faba bean] than those fed on a simple diet (SD) [composition not specified]. Also, one band of about 45 kDa was present at much greater percentage composition from insects on the broad bean diet than on SD. E. abrupta demonstrated more bands after being fed SD than pinto bean (PB, Phaseolus vulgaris). For L. hesperus, different banding patterns were observed with insects fed on different diets. More bands were observed for insects that fed on an artifical Lygus-rearing diet than on cotton or PB. More bands were observed after insects fed on cotton compared to PB. Starved insects fed and salivated more than the non-starved insects, yet the protein components of the saliva were similar. In contrast to the phytophagous insects, P. maculiventris showed minimal differences in salivary protein profiles after feeding on Trichoplusia ni or an artificial diet.