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Intraspecific Variation in Natal Plant Secondary Chemistry Leads to Plasticity in Lepidopteran Oviposition Behavior

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2011, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
Environmentally-induced behavioral plasticity, either through learning or experience, is likely to influence insect chemosensory preferences. Previous behavioral studies using insect herbivores as model systems have shown that interspecific variation in plant secondary chemistry can induce behavioral changes in oviposition preferences. However, what has remained untested in these studies is whether female oviposition preferences may be influenced by intraspecific variation in the natal host plant secondary chemistry. Using genetically modified lines of Arabidopsis thaliana with variable profiles of compounds known to act as oviposition stimulants (i.e., glucosinolate hydrolysis products), the prediction that natal exposure to these genotypes would affect the oviposition behavior of two major insect pests of crucifer plants was tested. Specifically, choice oviposition assays were performed using both naïve and experienced females of the specialist Plutella xylostella and the generalist Trichoplusia ni, and three genetic lines of A. thaliana expressing variation in glucosinolate hydrolysis products found in this plant species. These lines included the wild type Col-0 that mainly produces isothiocyanates in its rosette leaves, a transgenic line producing mainly nitriles (i.e., 35S:ESP), and the double myrosinase knockout tgg1 tgg2, which produces virtually no hydrolysis products. In addition to oviposition preferences, the effects of plant genetic lines on insect fitness-related traits were assessed (i.e., insect development, growth, survival and fecundity). Overall, intraspecific variation in natal genotype plant chemistry led to changes in the oviposition behavior of P. xylostella and T. ni. However, the magnitude of the effect of natal experiences on oviposition preferences was dependent on the species and significant only for P. xylostella. In addition, for both species, experience led to oviposition choices that would have maximized fitness of the offspring. This study, for the first time, demonstrates that intraspecific variation in natal plant chemistry can affect insect oviposition preferences, and suggest that pre-dispersal experiences with different plant genotypes may play an important role in the ecology, evolution and pest management of phytophagous insects.
Gabriela Bidart-Bouzat, PhD (Advisor)
Juan Bouzat, PhD (Committee Member)
Dan Pavuk, PhD (Committee Member)
44 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Ryan, S. F. (2011). Intraspecific Variation in Natal Plant Secondary Chemistry Leads to Plasticity in Lepidopteran Oviposition Behavior [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1305253863

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Ryan, Sean. Intraspecific Variation in Natal Plant Secondary Chemistry Leads to Plasticity in Lepidopteran Oviposition Behavior. 2011. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1305253863.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Ryan, Sean. "Intraspecific Variation in Natal Plant Secondary Chemistry Leads to Plasticity in Lepidopteran Oviposition Behavior." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1305253863

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)