Skip to main content
Log in

Feeding response of the silkworm,Bombyx mori, to UV irradiation of mulberry leaves

  • Published:
Journal of Chemical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ultraviolet irradiation of mulberry leaves caused a reduced feeding response inBombyx mori larvae (ca. 22% reduction in consumption as compared with control). Sucrose content of the foliage decreased after exposure to UV irradiation (0.5 mW/cm2 for 1 hr. Electrophysiological responses of the sensilla styloconica-I to sucrose concentration (ca. 0–80 mg/g) showed a reduced response to UV-irradiated foliage when compared with the control. From feeding, gustatory, and electrophysiological responses, as well as the measurement of sucrose contents of the leaves, we concluded that the reduced feeding response to UV-irradiated leaves is due to the reduced sucrose content of the mulberry leaves, thus reducing pleogostimulatory levels.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Berenbaum, M. 1978. Toxicity of a furanocoumarin to armyworms: A case of biosynthetic escape from insect herbivores.Science 201:532–534.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirao, T., andArai, N. 1991. On the role of gustatory recognition in host-plant selection by the silkworm,Bombyx mori L.Jpn. J. Appl. Entomol. Zool. 35:197–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishikawa, S. 1963. Responses of maxillary chemoreceptors in the larva of the silkworm,Bombyx mori, to stimulation by carbohydrates.J. Cell. Comp. Physiol. 61:99–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishikawa, S. 1966. Electrical response and function of a bitter substance receptor associated with the maxillary sensilla of the larvae of the silkworm,Bombyx mori L.J. Cell. Comp. Physiol. 67:1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naito, K., andHamamura, Y. 1961. On the isolation of myoinositol from mulberry leaves.J. Agric. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 35:1106–1107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takeuchi, Y., Akizuki, M., Shimizu, H., Kondo, N., andSugahara, K. 1989. Effect of UV-B (290–320 nm) irradiation on growth and metabolism of cucumber cotyledons.Physiol. Planta 76:425–430.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yazawa, M., andYamashita, T. 1974. Metabolic conversion of photosynthetic14CO2 fixation product and sucrose formation by the use of mulberry leaf segments.J. Serie. Sci. Jpn. 43:304–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yazawa, M., Hirao, T., Arai, N., andYagi, S. 1991a. Feeding and gustatory responses in the “polyphagous silkworm,”Bombyx mon L.J. Seric. Sci. Jpn. 60:363–371.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yazawa, M.,Isogai, A., andSuzuki, N. 1991b. 61st Annual meeting of the Japanese Society of Sericultural Science, April, Tokyo.

  • Zangerl, A.R., andBerenbaum, M.R. 1987. Furanocoumarins in the wild parsnip: Effects of photosynthetically active radiation, ultraviolet, light, and nutrients.Ecology 68:516–520.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yazawa, M., Shimizu, T. & Hirao, T. Feeding response of the silkworm,Bombyx mori, to UV irradiation of mulberry leaves. J Chem Ecol 18, 561–569 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987819

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987819

Key words

Navigation