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Decrease in feeding niche breadth of Melasoma lapponica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with increase in pollution.

Elena L Zyereva¹, Mikhail V Kozlov², Seppo Neuvonen¹

¹Keyo Subarctic Research Station, University of Turku, FIN-20500, Turku, Finland.

|March 18, 2017

Summary

The leaf beetle Melasoma lapponica shows reduced host plant diversity near smelters, preferring Salix borealis in high SO2 areas. This preference ensures survival, indicating an adaptive response to pollution-induced changes in willow quality.

Keywords:

Air pollution Feeding niche Host-plant preference Melasoma lapponica Performance

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Area of Science:

Ecology
Environmental Science
Entomology

Background:

Industrial pollution, particularly sulfur dioxide (SO2), can significantly impact ecosystems.
Host-plant selection by insects is crucial for their survival and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the host-plant preference and performance of the leaf beetle Melasoma lapponica in relation to SO2 pollution levels.
To determine if Melasoma lapponica exhibits adaptive feeding strategies in polluted environments.

Main Methods:

Field surveys and preference tests were conducted to assess feeding niche breadth.
Leaf beetle survival and larval performance were evaluated on different willow species exposed to varying SO2 concentrations.
SO2 concentrations, metal pollutants, and beetle population densities were measured in study plots.

Main Results:

Feeding niche breadth of Melasoma lapponica decreased with increasing ambient SO2 concentration.
In heavily polluted areas, beetles predominantly fed on Salix borealis, showing higher survival rates compared to other willow species.
Larval performance on Salix caprea and Salix phylicifolia significantly decreased in heavily polluted plots.

Conclusions:

Melasoma lapponica's preference for Salix borealis in high SO2 environments is an adaptive response to maintain survival.
Pollution-induced changes in host-plant quality influence insect-plant interactions and can drive shifts in feeding behavior.