Feeding Site Preferences Research Articles

Effect of acetic acid bacteria colonization on oviposition and feeding site choice in Drosophila suzukii and its related species.

Unlike many species of Drosophila flies that colonize decaying fruits, Drosophila suzukii lay eggs in ripening fruits. The oviposition and feeding site preferences for bacterial growth were quantified in multiple strains of D. suzukii and its closely related species, D. subpulchrella and D. biarmipes . A continuous degree of preference for oviposition sites with Acetobacter growth both within and across species suggested that the separation in resource usage is notable but not complete among these species. The lack of interspecific differences in feeding site preference for Acetobacter -containing media implied that the oviposition site preferences evolved independently from the feeding site preference.

A little on the nose: A mosquito targets the nostrils of tree frogs for a blood meal

AbstractAs the females of most mosquitoes require a blood meal to provision their eggs, they can be a vector of parasites and pathogens that have profound impacts on both animal and human populations. Understanding the interactions between mosquitoes and their hosts, including animal and feeding site preferences, could thus provide valuable insights into disease transmission. In this study, we present a highly specific feeding strategy observed in a mosquito from Australia (Mimomyia elegans). Over 3 years of fieldwork, we found this mosquito feeding exclusively on the nostrils when using several amphibian species as hosts. Mosquitoes were observed initially landing on the backs of hosts before walking towards the nostrils, potentially minimizing detection and mitigating the risk of predation or defensive responses. This remarkable level of feeding site specificity suggests strong selection pressures that are causing the nostril to be the optimal location for blood extraction on amphibians. Possible explanations include the presence of thinner, more accessible skin tissue or enhanced vascular properties in the nostril region. Understanding mosquito host preferences, points of contact and feeding site specificity could provide valuable insights into disease transmission among amphibians, as mosquitoes have been identified as potential vectors of pathogens like the amphibian chytrid fungus.

Three chemosensory proteins from the sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius, are involved in the perception of host plant volatiles.

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) play important roles in chemical communication, but their precise physiological functions are still unclear. Cylas formicarius is the most serious pest attacking sweet potato around the world. At present, there is no effective way to control this pest. Our results showed that CforCSP1, 5 and 6 genes were highly expressed in the antennae of both sexes of C. formicarius. In addition, results from a fluorescence competitive binding assay showed that the CforCSP1, 5 and 6 proteins had high binding affinities for 17 plant volatiles including eight host plant volatiles. This indicated that the three proteins may be involved in the detection of host plant volatiles. Furthermore, results from four-arm olfactometer bioassays showed that there was a significant tendency for C. formicarius to be attracted to eucalyptol, β-carotene, benzaldehyde, vanillin and phenethyl alcohol, while it was repelled by β-ionone. Finally, the levels of expression of the three CforCSPs in C. formicarius were successfully inhibited by RNA interference (RNAi). Behavioral experiments showed that CforCSP1, 5 and 6-deficient C. formicarius were partly anosmic to β-cyclocitral, benzaldehyde, octyl aldehyde, and β-ionone and exhibited a reduced ability to locate the host plant volatiles β-carotene and vanillin. Our data suggest that CforCSP1, 5 and 6 likely are involved in the chemical communication between C. formicarius and host plant volatiles, which may play pivotal roles in oviposition and feeding site preferences. More importantly, these results could provide information for the development of monitoring and push-pull strategies for the control of C. formicarius. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Preference and familiarity mediate spatial responses of a large herbivore to experimental manipulation of resource availability

The link between spatio-temporal resource patterns and animal movement behaviour is a key ecological process, however, limited experimental support for this connection has been produced at the home range scale. In this study, we analysed the spatial responses of a resident large herbivore (roe deer Capreolus capreolus) using an in situ manipulation of a concentrated food resource. Specifically, we experimentally altered feeding site accessibility to roe deer and recorded (for 25 animal-years) individual responses by GPS tracking. We found that, following the loss of their preferred resource, roe deer actively tracked resource dynamics leading to more exploratory movements, and larger, spatially-shifted home ranges. Then, we showed, for the first time experimentally, the importance of site fidelity in the maintenance of large mammal home ranges by demonstrating the return of individuals to their familiar, preferred resource despite the presence of alternate, equally-valuable food resources. This behaviour was modulated at the individual level, where roe deer characterised by a high preference for feeding sites exhibited more pronounced behavioural adjustments during the manipulation. Together, our results establish the connections between herbivore movements, space-use, individual preference, and the spatio-temporal pattern of resources in home ranging behaviour.

Influence of Dietary Experience on the Induction of Preference of Adult Moths and Larvae for a New Olfactory Cue.

In Lepidoptera, host plant selection is first conditioned by oviposition site preference of adult females followed by feeding site preference of larvae. Dietary experience to plant volatile cues can induce larval and adult host plant preference. We investigated how the parent’s and self-experience induce host preference in adult females and larvae of three lepidopteran stem borer species with different host plant ranges, namely the polyphagous Sesamia nonagrioides, the oligophagous Busseola fusca and the monophagous Busseola nairobica, and whether this induction can be linked to a neurophysiological phenotypic plasticity. The three species were conditioned to artificial diet enriched with vanillin from the neonate larvae to the adult stage during two generations. Thereafter, two-choice tests on both larvae and adults using a Y-tube olfactometer and electrophysiological (electroantennography [EAG] recordings) experiments on adults were carried out. In the polyphagous species, the induction of preference for a new olfactory cue (vanillin) by females and 3rd instar larvae was determined by parents’ and self-experiences, without any modification of the sensitivity of the females antennae. No preference induction was found in the oligophagous and monophagous species. Our results suggest that lepidopteran stem borers may acquire preferences for new olfactory cues from the larval to the adult stage as described by Hopkins’ host selection principle (HHSP), neo-Hopkins’ principle, and the concept of ‘chemical legacy.’

Natural infestation of Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris by Amblyomma dubitatum ticks

Natural infestation of Amblyomma dubitatum in relation to individual specific attributes of Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris such as sex, body mass and body condition was analyzed. The anatomical distribution of A. dubitatum on H. hyrochaeris was also evaluated. Prevalence of adults and nymphs were significantly higher than prevalence of larvae. Non-significant differences in the infestation levels were found among host sex. Multiple regression analysis did not show any statistically significant association among the level of infestation with ticks and body mass and body condition of the host. All parasitic tick stages were collected in all five anatomical areas of the host, but they exhibited significant differences in feeding site preference. Factors associated to the host which determine the high levels of infestation with A. dubitatum could be assigned to a combination of population-level properties of the host as abundance, ubiquity and aggregation, rather than individual specific attributes related to body condition, body mass or sex.

Is a mango just a mango? Testing within-fruit oviposition site choice and larval performance of a highly polyphagous fruit fly

For fruit flies, fully ripe fruit is preferred for adult oviposition and is superior for offspring performance over unripe or ripening fruit. Because not all parts of a single fruit ripen simultaneously, the opportunity exists for adult fruit flies to selectively choose riper parts of a fruit for oviposition and such selection, if it occurs, could positively influence offspring performance. Such fine scale host variation is rarely considered in fruit fly ecology, however, especially for polyphagous species which are, by definition, considered to be generalist host users. Here we study the adult oviposition preference/larval performance relationship of the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), a highly polyphagous pest species, at the “within-fruit” level to see if such a host use pattern occurs. We recorded the number of oviposition attempts that female flies made into three fruit portions (top, middle and bottom), and larval behavior and development within different fruit portions for ripening (color change) and fully-ripe mango, Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae). Results indicate that female B. dorsalis do not oviposit uniformly across a mango fruit, but lay most often in the top (i.e., stalk end) of fruit and least in the bottom portion, regardless of ripening stage. There was no evidence of larval feeding site preference or performance (development time, pupal weight, percent pupation) being influenced by fruit portion, within or across the fruit ripening stages. There was, however, a very significant effect on adult emergence rate from pupae, with adult emergence rate from pupae from the bottom of ripening mango being approximately only 50% of the adult emergence rate from the top of ripening fruit, or from both the top and bottom of fully-ripe fruit. Differences in mechanical (firmness) and chemical (total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total non-structural carbohydrates) traits between different fruit portions were correlated with adult fruit utilisation. Our results support a positive adult preference/offspring performance relationship at within-fruit level for B. dorsalis. The fine level of host discrimination exhibited by B. dorsalis is at odds with the general perception that, as a polyphagous herbivore, the fly should show very little discrimination in its host use behavior.

Crocidolomia pavonana larval foraging: behavior and feeding site preferences on cabbage, Brassica oleracea

AbstractExperiments were conducted to determine feeding site preferences of Crocidolomia pavonana (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) larvae within cabbage plants, Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata cv. Warrior (Brassicaceae), and to determine whether induced plant responses to herbivory affect the behavior of larvae. In the first experiment, intra‐plant damage and larval distribution were recorded to account for the spreading pattern of damage and larval feeding behavior on a plant; larvae initially fed on the base of leaves and moved progressively to the bud, leaf tips were avoided. In the second experiment, larval performance (the duration of the first instar, survival to the second instar, and weight of second instars) was assessed when larvae fed on the bud, the base, and the tip of the youngest fully expanded leaf on a plant. Crocidolomia pavonana larvae performed best when they fed on bud leaf tissue and most poorly when they fed on leaf tissue at the base of leaves. In the third experiment, expression of induced resistance was tested on each of the three plant parts using a first‐instar bioassay. Negative impacts on larval growth and development were not detected when larvae fed on the bud or base tissue when plants were damaged prior to the assay. However, negative effects were detected in larvae feeding on tip leaf tissue when the base of the leaf was damaged prior to the assay or if the bud tissue was damaged simultaneously with the assay. The findings indicate that resource heterogeneity for C. pavonana within‐cabbage plants is determined by both the initial quality of food at a location and by subsequent induced changes as a result of larval feeding; both contribute to the feeding pattern observed in these gregarious larvae.

Maternal influence on feeding site avoidance behaviour of lambs

Ewes can play a critical role in moulding habitat preferences of their daughters. Little is known, however, about how feeding site preferences of lambs can be modified by manipulating the behaviour of their dams. We conducted an experiment with sheep to investigate the influence of shock-trained mothers and early-life aversive experiences on the feeding site choices of lambs. Twelve ewes with their 6-week-old lambs were exposed to an experimental arena with artificial safe and unsafe feeding sites (SFS, UFS) each of which consisted of a group of 12 bowls containing either high or moderate quality food. The bowls in UFS were surrounded by visual cues (traffic cones) and contained rolled corn grain (high quality food). Bowls in SFS were not surrounded by visual cues and contained a mixture of Bermuda grass and alfalfa hay (moderate quality food). Four ewe/lamb pairs were randomly assigned to each of the following treatments: (a) no aversion training to neither ewe nor lamb (control); (b) shock stimulation to train the ewe but not the lamb (ES) to avoid UFS; or (c) shock stimulation to train the lamb but not the ewe (LS) to avoid UFS. Lambs remained with their mothers throughout training, testing, and initial extinction trials. Mothers were then removed, and additional extinction trials were conducted with weaned lambs alone. Ewes and lambs that were trained with shock learned to avoid UFS. ES ewes avoided UFS throughout the study and their lambs tended to spend less time in UFS even after their mothers were removed compared to LS and control lambs. LS lambs avoided UFS until shock was removed; after that they tended to enter UFS more often than ES and control lambs. ES pairs and lambs (after ewes were removed) consumed less food in UFS and spent less time feeding versus standing compared to ewes and lambs on the other treatments. Naïve ewes appeared to induce shock-trained lambs to re-enter the unsafe feeding site; shock-trained ewes, on the other hand, appeared to induce naïve lambs to avoid feeding in a high quality feeding site that they would have possibly otherwise preferred. Maternal influence persisted after lambs were weaned.

オオメカメムシとヒメオオメカメムシの採餌場所選択ならびに採餌活動におよぼす植物の影響

Effects of plants on the foraging behavior of polyphagous natural enemies Piocoris varius (Uhler) and Geocoris proteus Distant were examined in the laboratory. We first examined the prey consumption rates of the two predator species, using Ephestia kuehniella Zeller eggs as the model prey on four different plant species: green pepper, strawberry, kidney bean and tomato. P. varius consumed significantly more prey eggs on green pepper and strawberry than they did on tomato, with the prey consumption rate on kidney bean intermediate among these plant species. Similarly, G. proteus consumed significantly more prey eggs on green pepper and strawberry than they did on tomato and kidney bean. These results suggest that both predators prefer green pepper and strawberry to tomato as suitable plants. Subsequent experiments using strawberry seedlings and prey eggs showed differences in feeding site preference between the two predators: G. proteus consumed prey eggs equally on both upper and lower compound leaves, whereas P. varius consumed prey eggs almost entirely on the upper compound leaves of the strawberry seedlings.

Effects of Feeding Sites on Fecundity and longevity of the Palm aphid, Ceretaphis palmae Chesquiere (Homoptera: Pemphigidae) on Young Dwarf Coconuts

The influence of feeding site preferences on-the fecundity and longevity of the palm aphid, Cerataphis palmae Ghesquiere on three dwarf coconut varieties: Malayan dwarf red (Mdr); Malayan dwarf green (Mdg); and Malayan-dwarf yellow (Mdy) was studied in a screenhouse using leaf clip on cages. Using Mdr, the fecundity of C. palmae was significantly highest on young’ basal leaflets followed by mature basal leaflets and young frond terminal leaflets. With the Mdg, mean number of nymphs produced on young basal leaflets and young frond terminal leaflets was significantly higher than on mature basal leaflets. Similarly, there was no significant difference in fecundity on young basal leaflets and frond terminal leaflets of Mdy variety. Fecundity on mature basal leaflets was however, lower than on both young basal and frond terminal leaflets. On the three varieties, longevity on young basal and frond terminal leaflets were significantly higher than on mature basal leaflets

The effects of outdoor recreation on range use by semi‐domesticated reindeer

The effects of a large holiday resort on the distribution and range use of semi‐domesticated reindeer were studied in the three most important habitat types in Saariselka, eastern Finnish Lapland. In two of these habitats the relative reindeer densities increased in winter, when outdoor activities declined reaching density equal to the average for the herding association at a distance of about 10 km from the holiday resort. In summer, male reindeer adapted better than females to the proximity of the holiday resort. The feeding site preferences of the reindeer during winter followed, in general, the normal pattern in areas with little human interference. Although the economic value of the range loss appeared small compared to the gain from outdoor enterprises, better planning is needed to avoid the harmful effects of recreation on reindeer management.

Variegated Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Leaf-area Consumption, Feeding Site Preference, and Economic Injury Level Calculation for Potatoes

Mean total leaf area consumption of potato foliage by Peridroma saucia (Hubner) instars four to six was 158.4 ± 18.7 cm2. Mean number of days for development for instars four to six was 16.2 ± 1.5 days. Larval instars three to six showed significantly different preferences for different parts of the potato plant. Leaf measurements of ‘Russet Burbank’ and ‘Superior’ cultivar potatoes were taken during four and five growing seasons, respectively. Leaf-area change over the growing season was predicted using the Weibull model. Information on larval consumption, feeding site preference, and plant leaf area was used in conjunction with defoliation-yield loss information to calculate economic injury level for variegated cutworm on potatoes.

Feeding Site Preferences of Seven Lepidopteran Pests of Celery

The feeding site preferences of seven species of lepidopteran pests of celery were investigated under greenhouse conditions. The cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), fed on leaves and was not observed to damage the petiole. The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), the corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), the false celery leaf tier, Udea profundalis (Packard), the variegated cutworm, Peridroma saucia (Hubner), and Platynota stultana (Walsingham) fed on both leaves and petioles but tended to occur more often on the petioles as they matured. In contrast, the salt marsh caterpillar, Estigmene acrea (Drury), tended to occur more often on leaves during later instars. Based on these data, the cabbage looper would not be predicted to be a serious economic pest except at very high populations. The six remaining species may possess a much higher potential to cause economic damage, especially during the last portion of the growing season.

Development of olfactory control of feeding-site selection in rat pups.

The results of the present experiments provide two lines of evidence consistent with the view that development of olfactory control of feeding-site selection in rats depends on experiences during ontogeny. First, normally reared pups ate at a feeding site at which either an anesthetized conspecific or conspecific excreta were present in preference to a clean site, whereas pups reared without contact with conspecifics were not influenced in their choice of feeding site by these social stimuli. Pups allowed contact with conspecifics for only the 5 days immediately prior to testing exhibited, like normally reared pups, a strong preference for feeding sites marked with social stimuli. Second, exposure of pups to an arbitrarily selected odor rendered that odor subsequently capable of influencing feeding-site selection. Comparison of the results of the present experiments with those of similar studies, in which a different measure of pup olfactory preference was used, revealed that the factors affecting development of olfactory preference vary as a function of test situation.

Control of aphids in glasshouses with the fungus, Verticillium lecanii

SUMMARYIn small glasshouses, aqueous sprays of spores of the entomopathogenic fungus, Verticillium lecanii, eliminated small populations of the aphid Brachycaudus helichrysi in the vegetative tips of chrysanthemum plants but not when they were in an exposed position on mature flower buds. Control of the chrysanthemum aphid, Macrosiphoniella sanborni, was however variable and usually commercially unsatisfactory. In contrast, in both small and large glasshouses, sparse populations of the major aphid pest Myzus persicae were successfully and consistently controlled, sometimes spectacularly. The inherent susceptibilities of these aphid species, measured by laboratory bioassay, did not account for the differences in control observed in the glasshouse. It is thought that a combination of species‐characteristic feeding site preferences on the exposed parts of plants, where microclimate humidity was probably low, and relative immobility of M. sanborni and B. helichrysi explain why these aphids were less well‐controlled than My. persicae. However, it should be possible to control satisfactorily all aphid species in large commercial glasshouses where humidity might be higher than in the small experimental glasshouses. A single spray was sufficient to introduce infection that controlled aphids for the duration of the crop.

The biology and pest status of cereal aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Europe: a review

AbstractThe biology and pest status of the common species of Sitobion, Metopolophium and Rhopalosiphum found on wheat, barley and oat crops in Europe is critically reviewed. After preliminary sections on species and sampling, the factors that induce the production of the different morphs of cereal aphids are considered. Basic life-cycles are described and the importance of migration and dispersal considered. Host-plant preferences, survival and reproduction on different Gramineae, and feeding site preferences are considered, particularly in relation to the type and amount Of damage caused by the aphids. The effects of constant temperatures on the biology of some species have been investigated, but little is known about the effects of weather in the field. There have been few quantitative studies on the effects of natural enemies on cereal aphids, but the evidence suggests that they may be important in reducing their numbers. Side-effects of pesticides and fertilisers on aphids are also discussed. Aphids may reduce grain yield and quality. Direct damage may result from reductions.

The boll weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) feeding process: A simulation model

A model is presented for predicting boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, feeding damage to cotton. The model uses appropriate probability theory based on behavioral components of male and nonreproducing female boll weevils and includes the effects of (1) differential feeding site preferences, (2) previous damage to the sites, and (3) individual insect behavior extended to feeding damage caused by a population of insects. The model is sensitive to both crop and insect parameters. An example of how this model can be used in an insect-crop ecosystem simulation is offered.

Feeding Injury to the Orange Caused by the Citrus Rust Mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea)1

The citrus rust mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead), appeared to probe randomly at the fruit surface, usually showing no preference for feeding sites. Probing was generally initiated by anchoring the idiosoma to the fruit surface with the anal sucker and arching the body. Searching time and insertion time were relatively short, averaging 11.3±7.4 s and 26.0±20.0 s, respectively. Feeding terminated with a jerking withdrawal of the mouthparts and an abrupt ascending of the rostrum. According to scan electron micrographs, the chelicerae were retained between the palpal segments, emerging at the base of a short truncate rostrum during feeding. A pair of protractile stylets were observed as attachments to the chelicerae. Length of the extended chelicerae (ca. 7 μm) restricted feeding to the epidermal cell layer. Active feeding by high populations (50–200 mites/cm2) of the mite during summer and fall on the surface of different varieties of orange caused a significant increase in ethylene (C2H4) emission at the time visible injury (russet) first appeared on fruit surfaces. Ethylene production by injured cells also stimulated premature degreening in the fall. Fruit surface discoloration (russet) was associated with the formation of lignin and probable oxidation of some substances of the cytoplasm within epidermal cells. In July and August, a wound periderm was formed 16–21 days after russeting first appeared on fruit surfaces. Concurrently, lipids accumulated in the wound periderm cell walls. Injury to fruit after growth termination did not lead to wound periderm formation in late November. Photomicrographs of fruit cuticles showed one or more mite punctures per epidermal cell in and around injured areas. Lignin formation and subsequent epidermal cell mortality appeared to be triggered by a high puncture frequency per cell, which is probably relative to mite population density.