Utilization of dry matter and elements by larvae of the sawflies Neodiprion sertifer (Geoff.) and Diprion similis (Hartig) feeding on Scots pine needles

Abstract

Consumption and proportions of dry matter and various elements utilized by late-instar larvae of Diprion similis (Hartig) and Neodiprion sertifer (Geoff.) feeding on previous years' needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were determined gravimetrically and by means of cellulose as an indigestible marker substance. The only discrepancy between the two methods was for phosphorus intake by N. sertifer females. Female larvae of D. similis utilized larger proportions of dry matter, nitrogen, and potassium and less phosphorous than female larvae of N. sertifer; both species utilized similar proportions of calcium and magnesium. Combined male–female groups of N. sertifer larvae utilized larger proportions of dry matter, potassium, and magnesium compared with female larvae. The proportions utilized were ranked as follows: nitrogen (50–59%), phosphorous (22–39%), magnesium (15–29%), calcium (9–15%), and potassium (6–17%). Nonpositive sodium budgets precluded calculation of utilization of this element. The proportions of dry matter utilized by these sawflies are similar to those for 10 species of foliage-consuming Hymenoptera and fall toward the lower end of the range of values for phytophagous insects. Nitrogen utilization figures for these sawflies fall within the range of values reported for insects that consume tree foliage.