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The effect of ambient humidity on the foraging behavior of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta

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Abstract

The foraging decisions of flower-visiting animals are contingent upon the need of an individual to meet both energetic and osmotic demands. Insects can alter their food preferences to prioritize one need over the other, depending on environmental conditions. In this study, preferences in nectar sugar concentrations (0, 12, 24 %) were tested in the hawkmoth Manduca sexta, in response to different levels of ambient humidity (20, 40, 60, and 80 % RH). Moths altered their foraging behavior when placed in low humidity environments by increasing the volume of nectar imbibed and by consuming more dilute nectar. When placed in high humidity environments the total volume imbibed decreased, because moths consumed less from dilute nectars (water and 12 % sucrose). Survivorship was higher with higher humidity. Daily foraging patterns changed with relative humidity (RH): moths maximized their nectar consumption earlier, at lower humidities. Although ambient humidity had an impact on foraging activity, activity levels and nectar preferences, total energy intake was not affected. These results show that foraging decisions made by M. sexta kept under different ambient RH levels allow individuals to meet their osmotic demands while maintaining a constant energy input.

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Abbreviations

C:

Celsius

Cal:

Calories

dH2O:

Distilled water

g:

Gram

h:

Hour

kJ:

Kilo joule

kcal:

Kilo calories

L:D:

Light:dark

MV:

Mercury vapor

RH:

Relative humidity

V :

Volume

w/w:

Weight/weight

w/v:

Weight/volume

SRER:

Santa Rita Experimental Range

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Jennifer Stevens and Scott Janowski for their assistance in the laboratory experiments. Rainee Kaczorowski collected valuable pilot data on RH and survivorship. Jennifer Graber, Jenny Barker, Greg Barron-Gafford, Erick Chen, Benjamin Collins, Ilan Davidowitz, Sarah Diamond, Jenny Graber, Bryan Helm, Brianna Horvath, Alice Levine, Jack Lin, Kelly Mackay, Connie Meyers, Hillary Miller, Jim Pearson, Virginia Pham, Kristen Potter, Benjamin Pri-Tal, Rebecca Ruppel, Valerie Rychka, Elliot Saperstein, Ratchanee Sananmuang, Karla Scott, David Sung, and Maria Williams provided invaluable assistance in blacklighting. This study was supported by National Science Foundation (USA) grants DEB-0316205 to JLB and GD, IOS-0923180 to GD and IOS-0923765 to RAR and JG.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA

    Heidy L. Contreras, Martin von Arx, Clayton T. Pierce & Goggy Davidowitz

  2. Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA

    Joaquin Goyret & Robert A. Raguso

  3. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA

    Judith L. Bronstein

  4. Biology Department, University of La Verne, La Verne, USA

    Heidy L. Contreras

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  1. Heidy L. Contreras
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  2. Joaquin Goyret
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Correspondence to Heidy L. Contreras.

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Contreras, H.L., Goyret, J., von Arx, M. et al. The effect of ambient humidity on the foraging behavior of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta . J Comp Physiol A 199, 1053–1063 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-013-0829-3

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