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Oviposition by herbivorous insects induces changes in optical and mechanical properties of Prunus avium leaves

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Abstract

This study of animal–plant interaction focused on the impact of oviposition by an insect on the leaves of Prunus avium (cherries). We examined whether the oviposition by Caliroa cerasi affects leaf mechanical and spectral traits in P. avium. Three cultivars of P. avium were studied. Infested leaves had from 1 to 18 eggs and exhibited higher leaf dry mass per area (LMA) than leaves without eggs. Leaf dry weight and LMA were positively correlated with egg number per leaf. Infested leaves tended to have higher number of trichomes. Leaf thickness and material and structural resistance tended to increase in infested leaves. The reflectance across all wavelengths (500–700 nm) in leaves with larger number of eggs was higher compared to leaves without eggs. Photosynthetic performance was reduced and oxidative activity was increased in leaves with eggs. Extrafloral nectaries increased with increasing the number of eggs per leaf and thus play an important role in defense against herbivores by providing nectar rewards that attract their depredators. These responses to oviposition may be beneficial for the plants in terms of resistance to feeding larvae.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Eng. Claudia Mundet and field staff from Bahía Solano S.A. Ranch for logistic support and for permission to access and use sweet cherry plantation for this study. This study was partially supported by CyT Chubut, Argentina, CONICET (PIP Grant), and ANCyT-FONCyT (PICT Grants). This work complies with Argentinean Law.

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Author notes

  1. María L. Peschiutta

    Present address: Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales (FCEFyN-UNC), Departamento de Química, Cátedra de Química Orgánica, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 1611, X5016GCA, Córdoba, Argentina

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grupo de Estudios Biofísicos y Ecofisiológicos (GEBEF), Instituto de Biociencias de la Patagonia (INBIOP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco (UNPSJB), 9000, Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina

    María L. Peschiutta, Fabián G. Scholz & Sandra J. Bucci

  2. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (IMBIV), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Avenida Vélez Sarsfield 1611, X5016GCA, Córdoba, Argentina

    Fabián G. Scholz & Sandra J. Bucci

  3. Laboratorio de Ecología Funcional (LEF), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Guillermo Goldstein

  4. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires, UBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Guillermo Goldstein

  5. University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA

    Guillermo Goldstein

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  1. María L. Peschiutta
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  2. Fabián G. Scholz
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  3. Guillermo Goldstein
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  4. Sandra J. Bucci
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Contributions

MLP, FGS, and GG conceived and designed the experiments. MLP performed the experiments. MLP, FGS, and SJB analyzed the data. MLP, FGS, SJB, and GG wrote the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Sandra J. Bucci.

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Peschiutta, M.L., Scholz, F.G., Goldstein, G. et al. Oviposition by herbivorous insects induces changes in optical and mechanical properties of Prunus avium leaves. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 12, 613–622 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-018-9609-x

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