Coevolutionary Relations Between Bruchids and Their Host Plants. The Influence on the Physiology of the Insects

  • J. Huignard
  • P. Dupont
  • B. Tran
Conference paper
Part of the Series Entomologica book series (SENT, volume 46)

Abstract

Most Bruchidae (Coleoptera) are specialists developing on a limited number of species of Leguminosae. Host selection is by females ovipositing on pods which usually are available only during a short period of the year. Thus, there is a precise synchronization between the reproductive cycles of the plants and bruchids. Experiments in the field and laboratory show that Bruchidius atrolineatus (Pic) and Bruchus rufimanus (Boh.) are in reproductive diapause when the pods of their host plant are absent. The appearance of flowers induces diapause termination and make insects sexually active at the beginning of the fructification period. Chemicals produced by flowers probably stimulate the development of oogenesis. Chemical or tactile stimuli perceived in direct contact with the pods stimulate oviposition on the trophic substratum of the larvae. These interactions increase the reproductive fitness of the insects and explain the high levels of bruchid infestations, particularly in crops. Some structures observed in wild Leguminosae could represent defenses against bruchids. The texture of the pods could modify egg-laying behaviour; the size, the structure and the chemical composition of the seeds could influence larval development. The importance of these host plant characteristics is analyzed in relation with the hypothesis of coevolution.

Keywords

Host Plant Phytophagous Insect Oviposition Substrate Reproductive Diapause Seed Beetle 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Kluwer Academic Publishers 1990

Authors and Affiliations

  • J. Huignard
    • 1
  • P. Dupont
    • 1
  • B. Tran
    • 1
  1. 1.Institut de Biocénotique Expérimentale des AgrosystèmesUniversité de ToursToursFrance

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