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Host plant effects on parasitoid attack on the leaf beetle Chrysomela lapponica.

E L Zvereva1, N E Rank

  • 1Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland. ELENA.ZVEREVA@utu.fi

Oecologia
|April 17, 2003
PubMed
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Leaf beetles feeding on willow plants rich in salicyl glucosides (SGs) do not gain protection from natural enemies. Despite better larval development on SG-rich willows, Chrysomela lapponica larvae experience increased parasitism and predation.

Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Chemical Ecology
  • Insect-Plant Interactions

Background:

  • Leaf beetles like Chrysomela lapponica sequester salicyl glucosides (SGs) from host plants for chemical defense.
  • Northern Russian populations of C. lapponica face significant parasitism from phorid flies (Megaselia opacicornis) and tachinid flies (Cleonice nitidiuscula).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the suitability of SG-rich (Salix borealis) and SG-poor (S. caprea, S. phylicifolia) willow species for C. lapponica.
  • To investigate if enemy pressure on C. lapponica varies across host plant species with differing SG content.

Main Methods:

  • Laboratory experiments assessed larval survival and adult body mass on different willow species.
  • Field studies monitored parasitism rates by M. opacicornis and Cl. nitidiuscula on beetles from various host plants.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Laboratory choice tests evaluated M. opacicornis egg-laying behavior on beetles reared on different willows.
  • Field enemy-exclusion experiments compared beetle survival with and without natural enemies present.

    • Main Results:

    • C. lapponica larvae showed higher survival and faster development on SG-rich S. borealis compared to SG-poor willows in laboratory settings.
    • Field studies revealed significantly higher parasitism rates by M. opacicornis and Cl. nitidiuscula on beetles feeding on S. borealis.
    • M. opacicornis did not discriminate between beetles reared on SG-rich or SG-poor willows in laboratory choice tests.
    • Enemy exclusion enhanced beetle survival, but no difference was observed between S. borealis and S. caprea, despite higher parasitism/predation on S. borealis.

    Conclusions:

    • While SG-rich willows benefit C. lapponica development, they do not confer enemy-free space.
    • Increased parasitism and predation on S. borealis suggest a trade-off between plant quality and enemy avoidance.
    • C. lapponica larvae do not appear to gain a defensive advantage against parasitoids by feeding on SG-rich willow species.