Abstract
Many pollinating insects exhibit flower constancy, i.e. they target flower species they have already experienced and fed from. While the insects might profit from reduced handling costs when revisiting similar flowers, flower constancy, in addition, is of benefit for the plants as it guarantees pollen transfer to conspecifics. Here we investigate whether the previous experience of an insect can also result in oviposition constancy, i.e. whether ovipositing on a given plant species will drive future oviposition preference in a female insect. We show that female hawkmoths (Manduca sexta), after having oviposited on a given plant species only once, indeed will prefer this plant in future oviposition choices. As oviposition preference is even affected 24 h after the moth has oviposited on a given plant, long term memory seems to be involved in this oviposition constancy. Our data furthermore suggest that, as shown for flower constancy, ovipositing moths increase their handling efficiency by targeting those host plants they have already experienced.
Highlights
Pollinators play an important role in maintaining the terrestrial ecosystem with more than 80% of flowering plant species relying on insect pollination (Ollerton et al 2011)
Moths exhibit an innate preference for Datura: To test whether gravid females exhibit an innate preference, we offered naïve females single leaves of Datura and Nicotiana in a 2-choice assay in a wind tunnel
We conclude that visual and olfactory cues of Datura and Nicotiana are strong to attract naïve females over distance, but that, when it comes to oviposition, Datura leaves are more attractive to the moths than those of Nicotiana
Summary
Pollinators play an important role in maintaining the terrestrial ecosystem with more than 80% of flowering plant species relying on insect pollination (Ollerton et al 2011). Herbivore insects and/or their offspring can cause huge damage to their host plants (Delaney et al 2001). Plants should advertise themselves to potential insect pollinators, while hiding from insect herbivores. The relationship of the tobacco hawkmoth Manduca sexta and its host plants Datura wrightii and Nicotiana attenuata is interesting as the moth is one of the most important pollinators of these plants, while its caterpillars can cause severe damage both on Datura and Nicotiana (Zhang et al 2019).
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