Large White Butterfly Pieris Brassicae Research Articles

Arabidopsis natural variation in insect egg-induced cell death reveals a role for LECTIN RECEPTOR KINASE-I.1.

In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), a hypersensitive-like response (HR-like response) is triggered underneath the eggs of the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae (P. brassicae), and this response is dependent on salicylic acid (SA) accumulation and signaling. Previous reports indicate that the clade I L-type LECTIN RECEPTOR KINASE-I.8 (LecRK-I.8) is involved in early steps of egg recognition. A genome-wide association study was used to better characterize the genetic structure of the HR-like response and discover loci that contribute to this response. We report here the identification of LecRK-I.1, a close homolog of LecRK-I.8, and show that two main haplotypes that explain part of the variation in HR-like response segregate among natural Arabidopsis accessions. Besides, signatures of balancing selection at this locus suggest that it may be ecologically important. Disruption of LecRK-I.1 results in decreased HR-like response and SA signaling, indicating that this protein is important for the observed responses. Furthermore, we provide evidence that LecRK-I.1 functions in the same signaling pathway as LecRK-I.8. Altogether, our results show that the response to eggs of P. brassicae is controlled by multiple LecRKs.

Mobility affects copulation and oviposition dynamics in Pieris brassicae in seminatural cages.

When, how often and for how long organisms mate can have strong consequences for individual fitness and are crucial aspects of evolutionary ecology. Such determinants are likely to be of even greater importance in monandrous species and species with short adult life stages. Previous work suggests that mobility, a key dispersal-related trait, may affect the dynamics of copulations, but few studies have investigated the impact of individual mobility on mating latency, copulation duration and oviposition latency simultaneously. In this paper, we monitored the copulation dynamics of 40 males and 40 females, as well as the oviposition dynamics of the females of the Large White butterfly Pieris brassicae, a facultative long-distance disperser butterfly. Individuals from a breeding were selected to create a uniform distribution of mobility and we recorded the timing, number and duration of all copulations in a semiexperimental system. We showed that mobility, measured as the time spent in flight under stressful conditions (a proxy of dispersal tendency), correlates with all aspects of copulation dynamics: mobile males and females mated earlier and for shorter periods than less mobile individuals. In turn, late mating females increased the time between copulation and oviposition. These results feed the previously described mobility syndrome of P. brassicae, involving morphological and physiological characters, with life-history traits. We suggest that the reduction of mating latency and copulation duration has an adaptive value in dispersing individuals, as their life expectancy might be shorter than that of sedentary individuals.

Efficacy of aqueous extracts of black alder (Alnus glutinosa GAERTN.) and black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) in reducing the occurrence of Phyllotreta spp., some lepidopteran pests and diamondback moth parasitoids on white cabbage

AbstractThe insecticidal and antifeedant effects of aqueous extracts from two common plants (black alder Alnus glutinosa and black elderberry Sambucus nigra) on the occurrence of flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.), as well as lepidopteran pests like the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella, small white butterfly Pieris rapae, large white butterfly Pieris brassicae, cabbage moth Mamestra brassicae and the Plutella xylostella parasitoid complex were investigated on white cabbage in 2008-2009. Aqueous extracts of black elderberry Sambucus nigra significantly reduced numbers of flea beetles Phyllotreta spp., eggs of Pieris rapae and P. brassicae, and larvae and pupae of Plutella xylostella on the cabbage. The aqueous extract of Alnus glutinosa was less effective. Parasitoids had the greatest impact on reducing numbers of diamondback moth: the dominant species was Diadegma fenestralis. The smallest number of parasitoids was reared from pupae collected from plots where the cabbages had been sprayed with the Sambucus nigra extract.

Insect eggs induce a systemic acquired resistance in Arabidopsis.

Although they constitute an inert stage of the insect's life, eggs trigger plant defences that lead to egg mortality or attraction of egg parasitoids. We recently found that salicylic acid (SA) accumulates in response to oviposition by the Large White butterfly Pieris brassicae, both in local and systemic leaves, and that plants activate a response that is similar to the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which are involved in PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI). Here we discovered that natural oviposition by P.brassicae or treatment with egg extract inhibit growth of different Pseudomonas syringae strains in Arabidopsis through the activation of a systemic acquired resistance (SAR). This egg-induced SAR involves the metabolic SAR signal pipecolic acid, depends on ALD1 and FMO1, and is accompanied by a stronger induction of defence genes upon secondary infection. Although P.brassicae larvae showed a reduced performance when feeding on Pseudomonas syringae-infected plants, this effect was less pronounced when infected plants had been previously oviposited. Altogether, our results indicate that egg-induced SAR might have evolved as a strategy to prevent the detrimental effect of bacterial pathogens on feeding larvae.

Life table parameters of large white butterfly Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) on different cabbage varieties

Effect of four different cole crops (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, Brassica oleracea var. capitata, Brassica oleracea var. italica and Brassica oleracea var. viridis) on biological parameters of the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae was evaluated at temperature 26 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% R. H. and a photoperiod of 16: 8 (L:D) h. The shortest larval and pupal period stages were recorded on B. oleracea var. botrytis (22.18 ± 0.20 days) and (13.32 ± 0.17 days), respectively. The life span was longest on B. oleracea var. viridis (60.43 ± 2.34 days) and shortest on B. oleracea var. botrytis (50.19 ± 0.51 days). The highest percentage of larval and pupal mortality was observed on B. oleracea var. viridis (74%), and (53%), respectively. We found that P. brassicae prefers B. oleracea var. botrytis and B. oleracea var. capitata among cole crops; it is due to the lowest percentage of larval and pupal mortality and the highest rate of life table parameters, including survival rate (lx) and life expectancy (ex), which makes them to be susceptible varieties to this pest. Contrary, a longer developmental time on B. oleracea var. viridis may be attributed to poor nutritional status and reduced survival of the cohort, resulting in high rates of mortality, which was partial resistance to pest. Knowledge of the biology and life table parameters of P. brassicae on different cole crops could be effective in detecting and monitoring the pest infestation, variety selection and crop breeding.

Intra- and inter-individual variations in flight direction in a migratory butterfly co-vary with individual mobility

Flight direction is a major component of an animal's migratory success. However, few studies have focused on variation in flight direction both between and within individuals, which is likely to be correlated with other traits implied in migration processes. We report patterns of intra- and inter-individual variation in flight direction in the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae. The presence of inter-individual variation in flight direction for individuals tested in the same conditions suggests that this trait is inherited in P. brassicae and we propose that a rapid loss of migratory skills may exist in the absence of selection for migration. The magnitude of intra-individual variation was negatively correlated to two surrogates of the potential for migration: mobility and wing length. Highly mobile and longed-winged individuals within the same family were found to fly in similar directions, whereas less mobile and short-winged individuals displayed divergent flight direction compared with the average direction of their kin. There was also a negative correlation between the variance to the mean flight direction of a family and its average mobility, but no correlation with wing length. We discuss these issues in terms of the evolution of traits potentially implied in both migration and dispersal in P. brassicae.

The occurrence of summer diapause in the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae): A geographical perspective

At the south western border of its extensive distribution, the multivoltine large white butterfly, Pieris brassicae L., is exceptional in undergoing summer diapause or aestivation. In all other regions investigated, P. brassicae pupae only hibernate. The transitional zone from non-aestivating to aestivating populations is a geographically stable region south of the Pyrenees. The restric- tion of this response to this region cannot be accounted for in terms of genetics as aestivation is intermediately inherited, with the heritability (h 2 ) of aestivation in inbreeding lines between 0.35 and 0.77. Two hypotheses are presented to explain why this species does not aestivate in more northern regions. First, aestivation is a behaviour that serves to synchronize generations in areas where this species produces a high number of generations per year. Second, aestivation reduces the incidence of parasitism suffered by the butterfly by desynchronizing its life cycle from that of its main parasitoid, Cotesia glomerata. The two hypotheses are not mutually exclusive and both seem to be adaptive where the species is multivoltine.

Aestivation in Pieris brassicae (L.) affects the parasitoid load caused by Cotesia glomerata (L.)

The large white butterfly Pieris brassicae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) undergoes a unique aestivation in southern Spain. Its pupae remain dormant for three months in summer, emerging in early September. Its main parasitoid, Cotesia glomerata (L.) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), shows no such diapause behavior and is thus deprived of its main host for this period and has to switch to less suitable host species. To study the effect the aestivation has on the parasitoids, caterpillars were collected from the region in May and September and levels of parasitization were determined. Results show that parasitoid attacks decrease clearly after the summer diapause. The number of parasitized butterfly clutches in September was only one third as the number in May and the infestation rate of an attacked clutch decreased by 55% after aestivation. The distribution of brood sizes of C. glomerata showed clear signs of superparasitism before but not after the diapause. Therefore, the butterfly generation after summer diapause has to deal with distinctly diminished numbers of parasitoids. This increases the survival rate of the caterpillar and thus improves the fitness of the butterfly.

Competitive interactions and the effect of herbivory on Bt‐Brassica napus, Brassica rapa and Lolium perenne

Summary 1. The probability of a transgenic crop establishing a feral population outside cultivated areas and possibly outcompeting naturally occurring species needs to be assessed to make an ecological risk assessment of the transgenic crop. 2. The interaction between herbivory and competition is thought to determine the ecological success of insect‐resistant plants, and this interaction was investigated in a competition experiment with transgenic insect‐resistant Bt‐Brassica napus, Brassica rapa, Lolium perenne, and herbivory from the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae. 3. As expected, herbivory had a negative effect on the biomass of B. rapa at high plant densities. The competitive ability of L. perenne, when growing with B. rapa, increased significantly with the level of herbivory on B. rapa. 4. To predict the effect of herbivory in a natural ecosystem, plant competition between the two annual Brassica species was analysed in a population ecological model. It was concluded that it is probable that transgenic Bt‐B. napus plants may invade a natural habitat if herbivory is sufficiently high and the habitat is suitable for B. napus. 5. Synthesis and applications. The results indicate that it is important to study the interaction between herbivory and competition when assessing the ecological risk of insect‐resistant genetically modified crops. Furthermore, combining ecological data from manipulated experiments with population ecological modelling is a fruitful approach when conducting environmental risk assessments.

The relations between the patterns of gas exchange and water loss in diapausing pupae of large white butterfly Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

The relations between the patterns of discontinuous gas exchange cycles (DGCs) and water loss were investigated in non- chilled diapausing pupae of the white cabbage butterfly Pieris brassicae kept at room temperature (22-24°C) in Petri dishes. An electrolytic respirometer, combined with an infrared (IR) actographic device was used for the simultaneous recordings of metabolic rate, cyclic release of carbon dioxide (bursts), passive suction inspirations (PSIs) and body movements. The patterns of cyclic gas exchange in four- and five-month-old non-chilled diapausing pupae varied individually to a considerable extent. About 40% of the pupae displayed long DGCs lasting 1-3 h, while the interburst periods were characterised by rare and almost regular large PSIs suc- ceeding at intervals of 1-4 min. Nearly 30% of the pupae exhibited short DGCs lasting 3-5 min, while between the bursts there occurred unclear frequent gas exchange microcycles. Standard metabolic rate (SMR) did not reveal significant differences between long DGCs and short DGCs ranging from 32-56 (mean 47.6 ± 4.6) ml O2 g -1 h -1 , and 28-61 (mean 44.95 ± 5.3) ml O2 g -1 h -1 , respec- tively. The mentioned levels of SMR were characteristic of diapausing pupae. Water loss in pupae with long DGCs was determined gravimetrically to be 0.29 ± 0.1 mg g -1 day 1 . At the same time, water loss in pupae that showed only short DGCs and irregular microcycles was 1.73 ± 0.31 mg g -1 day -1 , which was significantly higher than in individuals characterised by long DGCs. We suggest that water loss in the non-chilled diapausing pupae may depend significantly on the patterns of cyclic gas exchange: long cycles and rare but deep PSIs exerted a marked water conserving effect.

Aestivation in Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae): Implications for parasitism

Only in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae was recorded to pass the summer in pupal aestivation, induced by long-day photoperiods. It is not clear why this photoperiodic response is regionally restricted. We investigated whether the change of life history in P. brassicae may affect the infestation by parasites. This was done by testing the coincidence of photoperiodic responses in both the host P. brassicae and in its main parasitoid Cotesia glomerata. While the response under short-day conditions was very similar in both species, no summer dormancy of any type was found in the parasitoid at photophases >= 15h and temperatures of 15°-25°C in contrast to 100% aestivation in the host. We suggest that aestivation is a response which allows the host to desynchronise its life cycle from that of its parasitoid. This is effective because parasitoid wasps cannot pass the temporary absence of suitable host stages by a similar developmental rest. C. glomerata is then forced to switch to less adequate host species which diminishes its reproductive success.

Adaptations to Captivity in the Butterfly Pieris brassicae (L.) and the Implications for Ex situ Conservation

Captive breeding has been suggested as a method of conserving many threatened vertebrates, and is increasingly being proposed as a valuable conservation strategy for invertebrates. Potential genetic problems associated with ex situ conservation are widely recognized, but a further issue has received less attention: the possibility that populations will undergo adaptation to the captive environment, rendering them less well adapted to survival in the wild. We investigated six traits related to dispersal and reproduction in a culture of the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae (L.), that had been captive for c. 100–150 generations, and in recently wild stock reared simultaneously in a common environment. Individuals in the captive culture were heavier, with smaller wings and lower wing aspect ratios. Females from the captive culture laid many more eggs in cage experiments, and had higher ovary mass at the time of peak egg production. These differences are consistent with adaptation to captive conditions. Over time, similar evolutionary changes may affect invertebrates reared in ex situ conservation programmes, decreasing the likelihood that these species can be re-established in the wild. Although the timescale over which most vertebrates are likely to adapt to captivity is longer, and the traits involved will be different, invertebrates like P. brassicae may also provide a model of potential problems in long-term ex situ conservation programmes for both invertebrates and vertebrates. We suggest that measures to reduce or slow adaptation to captivity should be introduced alongside measures to reduce deleterious genetic effects in captive populations.

Behavioural observations of Pieris brassicae larvae indicate multiple mechanisms of action of analogous drimane antifeedants

We tested 11 analogous synthetic drimane antifeedant compounds for their feeding inhibiting effects on larvae of the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) in no-choice tests on the host plant Brassica oleracea L. Furthermore, we observed larval feeding behaviour in no-choice tests to analyze temporal effects of five drimanes. The results show that the five analogous antifeedants differentially influence feeding behaviour and locomotion activity. Warburganal and polygodial are most likely sensory mediated antifeedants. Habituation to these compounds occurs soon after the onset of the tests (i.e., within 0.5–1.5 h). Compound 5 and confertifolin are probably not direct, sensory mediated antifeedants. After 0.5–1.5 h of exposure, these compounds inhibit not only feeding, but also locomotion behaviour, indicating postingestive, toxic effects. Isodrimenin inhibits feeding from the onset of the test and is probably a sensory mediated antifeedant. No habituation occurs to this compound, indicating that isodrimenin is either a very strong antifeedant or that it additionally has postingestive, toxic effects. Topical application of the drimanes on the larval cuticle revealed feeding inhibiting effects, but these could not be related to the occurrence of postingestive feeding inhibiting effects, indicating that this method is inappropriate to show possible postingestive effects of drimanes in P. brassicae. In conclusion, the behavioural observations performed in this research indicate that analogous drimanes inhibit feeding by P. brassicae larvae through multiple mechanisms of action. The results show that, when developing a structure activity relationship (SAR) for a series of antifeedants, it is important to distinguish the mode of action which underlies inhibition of feeding.

Flight Directions in the Migratory Butterfly Pieris brassicae: Results from Semi‐natural Experiments

AbstractA recently developed experimental set‐up has been used to test the constancy of flight direction in the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae, originally collected in Northern Germany. The flight direction, tested with virgin females, depends on the developmental mode. Butterflies from diapause pupae fly north, those from subitan pupae fly south.The constancy of the flight direction has been examined in detail with the spring generation over a period of 14d. The preferred direction does not change with advancing age and is essentially not influenced by temperature or by the sun's azimuth. The flight activity, however, increases with temperature, but this is concealed by an intrinsic response resulting in a diurnal peak of flight activity at 10.00–11.00 hours, long before the maximum temperature of the day is reached.Whether the observed direction can be considered as a parameter of migration behaviour is discussed. It is shown that migration in Pieris brassicae does not end with reproductive maturity but lasts throughout the entire imaginal stage.

Predation rates, survivorship and development ofPodisus maculiventris (Het.: Pentatomidae) on larvae ofLeptinotarsa decemlineata (Col.: Chrysomelidae) andPieris brassicae (Lep.: Pieridae), under field conditions

The mean predation rate per day and the effect of the prey on the development and survival of the various nymphal stages ofPodisus maculiventris (Say) were studied under field-cage conditions. Third instar larvae of the Colorado potato beetleLeptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) and the large white butterflyPieris brassicae (Linnaeus) were used as the prey.

Studies on the toxicity of insecticidal drift to the first instar larvae of the Large White butterfly Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

SummaryThe toxicity (LD,) of eight insecticides to 2–day‐old first instar larvae of Pieris brassicue was determined by topical application. On this basis, the insecticides could be ranked in ascending order viz. dimethoate > pirimicarb > phosalone > endosulfan > fenitrothion > pirimiphos‐methyl > fenvalerate > diflubenzuron. Relative to endosulfan, dimethoate and pirimicarb were 30–25 times less toxic while at the other extreme, fenvalerate (x 12) and diflubenzuron (x 26) were much more toxic to the larvae of P. brassicae.A methodology was developed for examining the effects of spray drift through bioassay using these 2–day‐old larvae. Six field trials with commercial formulations were carried out in which variables other than the insecticide and wind speed were held constant as far as possible. Phosalone (700 g active ingredient ha) produced no effect beyond 1 m downwind at low wind speed (2 m s); at high wind speed (4 m s‐1). larval mortality (5.3%) was recorded up to 2m. Fenitrothion (1050 g a.i. ha‐1) at moderate wind speed (3 m s‐l) caused mortality up to 4 m while fenvalerate (30 g a.i. ha‐l) at the same wind speed affected larvae up to a distance of 8 m. Diflubenzuron at a very low dosage (6.5 g a.i. ha‐1) also produced effects up to 8 m. At the maximum approved dosage (100 g a.i. ha‐1), and at high wind speed (4.25 m s‐l), diflubenzuron killed 8.4% of the larvae at 16 m distance.At wind speeds of 2 ‐ 3.5 m s‐1, spray deposits on the upper surfaces of water sensitive papers were high at 0 m and declined exponentially with distance. At higher wind speeds (4 ‐ 4.25 m s‐I) turbulence produced irregular deposits. Deposition on lower surfaces was much lower than on upper surfaces but the trends with distance and wind speed were the same.The exponential relationships between mortality and distance, and drift deposition and distance, were examined. The results are discussed with respect to laboratory toxicities, application rates, wind speeds and ecological factors.

Molecular and ultrastructural characterization of the silk from the larvae of the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae (L.)

1. 1. The silk is consituted of two components; a fibroin and a hot water-soluble protein. 2. 2. The fibroin has the composition of a typical β-fibroin, being rich in glycine, alanine and serine residues. 3. 3. The soluble material is rich in glycine, serine and threonine. 4. 4. The silk gives a high angle X-ray diffraction pattern indicative of a parallel β-fibroin comparable with moth silk fibroins. 5. 5. Negatively stained, ultrasonically fragmented, silk fibres appeared as broad ribbons under high magnification in the electron microscope. 6. 6. Evidence for a microfibrillar structure of well-defined dimensions such as has been described for moth silk fibroins was poor.