The effect of host plant species on the development of Trabalavishnou gigantina Yang (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)
Author of the article:WEN Dong-Mei1** LIU Yong-Hua2 REN Li-Li1 LU Peng-Fei1 LUO You-Qing1***
Author's Workplace:1. The Key Laboratory of Beijing for Control to Forest Pest, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; 2. College of Life Sciences, College of Yulin, Yulin 719000, China
Key Words:host plant, Trabala vishnou gigantina Yang, development, nutrients, secondary compounds
Abstract:
[Objectives] To examine the effects of feeding on different host plant species on the development of Trabala vishnou gigantina Yang, and determine the relative impact of different hosts on the population dynamics of T. vishnou gigantina. [Methods] The pupae weight, fecundity, and the duration of larvae and pupal stages of T. vishnou gigantina, reared on four different host plants (Hippophae rhamnoices, Armeniaca sibirica, Populus davidiana, Salix matsudana) under laboratory condition, were compared, and secondary compounds, soluble sugar, soluble protein and water content of the four host plants, determined. The relationship between larval development, adult fecundity, and host plant inclusion contents was analyzed. [Results] Host plant species had a significant effect on the duration of larval and pupal stages, pupal weight, and reproduction. Larvae fed on seabuckthorn had the shortest larval stage (74.50+-1.76) d, and those fed on willow the longest (106.00±1.51) d. Larvae fed on poplar had the longest pupal stage (44.00±1.41) d and those fed on willow the shortest (32.70±3.13) d. Larvae reared on seabuckthorn, or apricot, had significantly higher pupal weight and adult fecundity than those reared on poplar or willow. Nutrients, water and secondary compounds differed significantly between the different host plants. Soluble sugar content was significantly, negatively correlated with female pupal weight and fecundity, and soluble protein content was significantly negatively correlated with duration of the larval stage. Female and male pupal weights were positively correlated with water content. There was no relationship between flavone content and the duration of the larval stage or adult fecundity, but tannin content was significantly, positively correlated with the duration of pupal stage. [Conclusion] The results indicate that seabuckthorn was the most suitable of the four host plants for T. vishnou gigantina. The development and adult fecundity of T. vishnou gigantina are better when larvae feed on host plants with lower soluble sugar and tannin content, and higher water and soluble protein content.