Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Chemical and experiential basis for rejection ofTropaeolum majus byPieris rapae larvae

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

Abstract

Rejection of nasturtium,Tropaeolum majus, by cabbage-reared larvae ofPieris rapae has been explained by the presence of feeding deterrents in the nastrutium foliage. Sensitivity to the deterrents develops as neonate larvae feed on cabbage. The most prominent deterrent compound, which is present in nasturtium at a concentration of 40 mg/100 g fresh leaves, was identified as chlorogenic acid. When neonate larvae were fed on a cabbage leaf treated with high concentrations of deterrent-containing extracts of nasturtium foliage, they remained insensitive to the deterrents, so they accepted nasturtium when transferred as second instars. When neonate larvae were reared on a cabbage leaf treated with 0.1 mg chlorogenic acid, ca. 35% of the second instars accepted nasturtium. Similar dietary exposure of neonates to the subunits of chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and quinic, acid resulted in much less or no effect on the rejection behavior of second instars. The results suggest that the combined effects of specific chemical constituents of nasturtium can explain the rejection of this plant by larvae ofP. rapae, but if larvae are continuously exposed to these compounds immediately after hatching, they apparently become habituated to the feeding deterrents. The lack of activity of the subunits of chlorogenic acid suggests that specific structural features are necessary for a dietary constituent to cause such habituation or suppression of sensitivity development.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bernays, E.A. 1983. Antifeedants in crop pest management, pp. 259–271,in D.L. Whitehead and W.S. Bowers, (eds.). Natural Products for Innovative Pest Management. Pergamon Press, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, R.F., andBernays, E.A. 1989. Insect behavior at the leaf surface and learning as aspects of host plant selection.Experientia 45:215–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chew, F.S. 1980. Foodplant preference ofPieris caterpillars (Lepidoptera).Oecologia 46:347–353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cole, R.A. 1985. Relationship between the concentration of chlorogenic acid in carrot roots and the incidence of carrot fly larval damage.Ann. Appl. Biol. 106:211–217.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • de Boer, G., andHanson, F.E. 1987. Feeding responses to solanaceous allelochemicals by larvae of the tobacco hornworm.Manduca sexta. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 45:123–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feeny, P., Sachdev, K. Rosenberry, L., andCarter, M. 1988. Luteolin 7-O-(6″-O-malonyl)-β-d-glucoside andtrans-chlorogenic acid: oviposition stimulants for the black swallowtail butterfly.Phytochemistry 27:3439–3448.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Felton, G.W., andDuffey, S.S. 1991. Protective action of midgut catalase in lepidopteran larvae against oxidative plant defenses.J. Chem. Ecol. 17:1715–1732.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Felton, G.W., Duffey, S.S., Vail, P.V., Kaya, H.K., andManning, J. 1987. Interaction of nuclear polyhedrosis virus with catechols: Potential incompatibility for host plant resistance against noctuid larvae.J. Chem. Ecol. 13:947–957.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Felton, G.W., Donato, K., Vecchio, R.J.D., andDuffey, S.S. 1989. Activation of plant folliar oxidases by insect feeding reduces nutritive quality of foliage for noctuid herbivores.J. Chem. Ecol. 15:2667–2694.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Felton, G.W., Donata, K.K., Broadway, R.M., andDuffey, S.S. 1992a. Impact of oxidized plant phenolics on the nutritional quality of dietary protein to a noctuid herbivore,Spodoptera exigua.J. Insect Physiol. 38:277–285.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Felton, G.W., Workman, J., andDuffey, S.S. 1992b. Avoidance of antinutritive plant defense: Role of midgut pH in Colorado potato beetle.J. Chem. Ecol. 18:571–583.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grabstein, E.M., andScriber, J.M. 1982. Host-plant utilization byHyalophora cecropia as affected by prior feeding experience.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 32:262–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, S.C., andMaleyvar, R.P. 1983. Quantitative relationship between ingestion and egestion by larvae ofPieris brassicae (Linn.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) when fed on different host plants. pp. 179–188,in P.K. Sen-Sarma, S.K. Kulshrestha, and S.K. Sangal (eds.). Insect Interrelations in Forest and Agro Ecosystems. Jugal Kishore Electric Press, Dehra Dun.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, F.E. 1976. Comparative studies in induction of food choice preferences in lepidopterous larvae.Symp. Biol. Hung. 16:71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harborne, J.B., andBaxter, H. 1993. Phytochemical Dictionary: A Handbook of Bioactive Compounds from Plants. Taylor & Francis, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Honda, K. 1990. Identification of host-plant chemicals stimulating oviposition by swallowtail butterfly.Papilio protenor. J. Chem. Ecol. 16:325–337.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, X.P., andRenwick, J.A.A. 1993. Differential selection of host plants by twoPieris species: The role of oviposition stimulants and deterrents.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 68:59–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ipe, I.M., andSadaruddin. 1984. Infestation and host specificity ofLiriomyza brassicae Riley and the role of phenolic compounds in host plant resistance.Entomon 9:265–270.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jermy, T., Horvath, J., andSzentesi, A. 1987. The role of habituation in food selection of lepidopterous larvae: The example ofMamestra brassicae L. (Lepid. Noctuidae). pp. 231–236,in V. Labeyrie, G. Fabres, and D. Lachaise (eds.). Insects-Plants: Proceedings, 6th International Symosium on Insect-Plant Relationships (PAU 1986). Dr. W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karowe, D.N., andSchoonhoven, L.M. 1992. Interactions among three trophic levels: The influence of host plant on performance ofPieris brassicae and its parasitoid,Cotesia glomerata.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 62:241–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindroth, R.L., andPeterson, S.S. 1988. Effects of plant phenols on performance of southern armyworm larvae.Oecologia 75:185–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ludlum, C.T., Felton, G.W., andDuffey, S.S. 1991. Plant defenses: Chlorogenic acid and polyphenol oxidase enhance toxicity ofBacillus thuringiensis subsp.furstaki toHeliothis zea, 1991.J. Chem. Ecol. 17:217–237.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma, W.C. 1972. Dynamics of feeding responses inPieris brassicae Linn. as a function of chemosensory input: a behavioral, ultrastructural and electrophysiological study.Meded. Landbouwhogesch. Wageningen 72(11): 162 pp.

  • Matsuda, K., andSenbo, S. 1986. Chlorogenic acid as a feeding deterrent for the Salicaceae-feeding leaf beetle,Lochmaeae capreae cribrata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and other species of leaf beetles.Appl. Entomol. Zool. 21:411–416.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Otter, C.J.D. 1992. Responses of the African armyworm and three species of borers to carbohydrates and phenolic substances: An electro- and behavioural physiological study.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 63:27–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Renwick, J.A.A., andHuang, X.P. 1995. Rejection of host plant by larvae of cabbage butterfly: Diet-dependent sensitivity to an antifeedant.J. Chem. Ecol. 21:465–475.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rothschild, M. 1987. Speculations concerning the large white butterfly (Pieris brassicae L.): Do the females assess the number of suitable host plants present? pp. 175–192,in R.F. Chapman, E.A. Bernays, and J.G. Stoffolano, Jr. (eds.). Perspectives in Chemoreception and Behavior. Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachdev-Gupta, K., Radke, C.D., andRenwick, J.A.A. 1992. Chemical recognition of diverse hosts byPieris rapae butterflies. Proceedings 8th International Symposium on Plant-Insect Relationships. Wageningen. pp. 136–138.

  • Sachdev-Gupta, K., Radke, C.D., Renwick, J.A.A., andDimock, M.B. 1993. Cardenolides fromErysimum cheiranthoides: Feeding deterrents toPieris rapae larvae.J. Chem. Ecol. 19:1355–1369.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schoonhoven, L.M. 1982. Biological aspects of antifeedants.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 31:57–69.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scriber, J.M. 1982. The behavior and nutritional physiology of southern armyworm larvae as a function of plant species consumed in early instars.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 31:359–369.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, P.C., Anderson, J.C., Blaney, W.M., andSimmonds, M.S.J. 1993. Developmental inhibition ofSpodoptera litura (Fab.) larvae by a novel caffeoylquinic acid fron the wild groundnut,Arachis paraguariensis (Chod et Hassl.).J. Chem. Ecol. 19:2917–2933.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Szentesi, A., andBernays, E.A. 1984. A study of behavioural habituation to a feeding deterrent in nymphs ofSchistocerca gregaria.Physiol. Entomol. 9:329–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szentesi, A., andJermy, T. 1989. The role of experience in host plant choice by phytophagous insects. pp. 39–74,in E.A. Bernays (ed.). Insect-Plant Interactions. CRC Press, Boca Raton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Traynier, R.M.M. 1987. Learning without neurosis in host finding and oviposition by the cabbage butterfly,Pieris rapae. pp. 243–247,in V. Labeyrie, G. Fabres, and D. Lachaise (eds.). Insects-Plants: Proceedings 6th International Symposium on Insect-Plant Relationships (PAU 1986). Dr. W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Usher, B.F., Bernays, E.A., andBerbehenn, R.V. 1988. Antifeedant tests with larvae ofPseudaletia unipuncta: Variability of behavioral response.Entomol. Exp. Appl. 48:203–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Loon, J.J.A. 1990. Chemoreception of phenolic acids and flavonoids in larvae of two species ofPieris.J. Comp. Physiol. 166:889–899.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webb, S.E., andShelton, A.M. 1988. Laboratory rearing of the important cabbageworm.Bull. N.Y. Food Life Sci. 122:1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiseman, B.R., Gueldner, R.C., Lynch, R.E., andSeverson, R.F. 1990. Biochemical activity of centipedegrass against fall armyworm larvae.J. Chem. Ecol. 16:2677–2690.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wiseman, B.R., Snook, M.E., Wilson, R.L., andIsenhour, D.J. 1992. Allelochemical content of selected popcorn silks: Effects on growth of corn earworm larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).J. Econ. Entomol. 85:2500–2504.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University, Tower Road, 14853, Ithaca, New York

    Xin Pei Huang & J. A. A. Renwick

Authors
  1. Xin Pei Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. A. A. Renwick
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Huang, X.P., Renwick, J.A.A. Chemical and experiential basis for rejection ofTropaeolum majus byPieris rapae larvae. J Chem Ecol 21, 1601–1617 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02035155

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02035155

Key Words

Search

Navigation