Effects of the insect parasite, Hyposoter exiguae on the total body glycogen and lipid levels of its host, Trichoplusia ni

Abstract

1. 1. Parasitization of late 3rd instar Trichoplusia ni by Hyposoter exiguae resulted in a marked reduction in weight gain as well as delayed development. Similar effects were observed in partially starved larvae reared on nutrient deficient media. 2. 2. The total body lipid concentration and level in T. ni larvae were reduced following parasitization or starvation. 3. 3. The total body glycogen concentration and level in T. ni larvae were also reduced as a result of starvation. Parasitized individuals, however, had glycogen concentrations similar to control unparasitized larvae, but their small size reduced the total level considerably. 4. 4. The reduction of total body glycogen and lipid reserves in parasitized T. ni appeared to occur in a similar fashion to that which results from partial starvation, suggesting that these effects of parasitization may result from the competition between the developing parasite and host tissues for available nutrients.