Increase in feeding stimulants as the primary mechanism by which SO₂ enhances performance of Mexican bean beetle on soybean
1988
Hughes, P.R. | Voland, M.L.
Relative consumption rate (RCR) and relative growth rate (RGR) were significantly higher for larvae of the Mexican bean beetle fed leaves from plants fumigated with SO₂. The insects grew faster primarily because they ate faster, rather than as a result of change in nutritional value of affected host tissue. Soluble carbohydrate content of fumigated or glutathione-treated leaves was much higher than that of corresponding control leaves, and concentrations of sucrose, fructose, and glucose, major feeding stimulants for this insect, were increased 40-50% by the treatments; soluble protein was unchanged (fumigated leaves) or significantly lower (glutathione-treated leaves) than controls. Feeding choice assays using filter-paper discs demonstrated that the beetles can discriminate clearly and respond to differences in sugar content of the magnitude produced by exposure to the pollutant. Thus, the primary mechanism by which SO₂ increases performance of Mexican bean beetle on soybean appears to be increase in foliar concentration of stimulatory sugars, which, at least in part, would be a consequence of the pollutant interfering with phloem loading and translocation of sugar from affected leaves.
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