Predator cue-induced plasticity of morphology and behavior in planthoppers facilitate the\xa0survival from predation

Jian Wen,Takatoshi Ueno

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-96005-3

Abstract

Predators can induce phenotypic plasticity in prey through selection driven by predation risk. However, defense plasticity is rarely reported in insects, let alone trans-generational plasticity, meaning the mechanisms underlying plasticity, how it impacts ecosystem evolution and how it might be exploited in pest control are poorly understood. Here we examine the morphological plasticity of small brown planthoppers (SBPHs), Laodelphax striatellus, elicited by caged predators, Paederus fuscipes in the parent or F1 generation and reveal the risk cues mediating these effects. We also uncover the survival outcomes in SBPHs with predator-induced defensive morphological traits by examining their survival probability and behavioral plasticity. Results showed that caged predators or predator odor cue gave rise to a higher proportion of long-winged, female SBPHs in the parent and F1 generations, but the proportion of males and their wing length were unaffected. The visual cue from predators elicited weaker effects. Surprisingly, we discovered these long-winged forms suffered a lower predation rate when attacked by P. fuscipes, owing to an enhanced agility level. Our results suggest the within- and trans-generational plasticity of induced defenses may cause profound effects on SBPH population dynamics and prey-predator interaction. Understanding this interaction and its underlying mechanisms illuminates important aspects of ecosystem evolution and helps predict pest dispersal or migration, which in turn may be exploited for pest control.

Highlights

Predators can induce phenotypic plasticity in prey through selection driven by predation risk
This paper focuses on four questions: (1) do predation risks posed by P. fuscipes affect the wing polymorphism of small brown planthoppers (SBPHs) in the parent and F1 generations? (2) What are the cues mediating the morphological plasticity of SBPHs? (3) Do threatened parents or offspring survive better when attacked by P. fuscipes than those that have never experienced prior predation risk? (4) How are SBPHs able to increase their survivability when attacked? We highlight that predation risk serves as an indispensable factor affecting how SBPHs respond flexibly to predation risk, and discuss how the predation risk of P. fuscipes might be used to control SBPHs
The proportion of surviving female SBPHs was affected by predation risks

Summary

Introduction

Predators can induce phenotypic plasticity in prey through selection driven by predation risk. Our results suggest the within- and trans-generational plasticity of induced defenses may cause profound effects on SBPH population dynamics and prey-predator interaction Understanding this interaction and its underlying mechanisms illuminates important aspects of ecosystem evolution and helps predict pest dispersal or migration, which in turn may be exploited for pest control. Insects adjust adaptively their morphological, behavioral or physiological traits in fast-changing environments[1,2], a characteristic that has allowed insects to thrive on our planet for millions of years. Transgenerational plasticity in defense has seldom been examined in insects, demonstration of such plasticity would expand our understanding of how anti-predation defense, or non-consumptive strategies, express over time, and so may be important in the evolution in insects

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