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Nathalia X, Vinicius M, Danilo Brito R, Felipe G, Rodrigo W. The Influence of Substance Properties on Arthropod Chemical Defenses: A Meta-Analysis. J Chem Ecol 2024; 50:42-51. [PMID: 38133704 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-023-01457-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Among defenses against predation, chemical defenses are possibly the most studied. However, when addressing the effectiveness of those chemical defenses, previous studies did not include properties of the chemical substances themselves. Lipophilicity, for instance, may facilitate crossing membranes, and boiling point may define the duration of the substances in the air. Moreover, other variables may also be relevant: the predator taxon; the prey model chosen to conduct experiments; whether the prey is presented grouped or not in experiments; and whether the chemical defense is a mixture of many substances or only one. To understand how those factors influence chemical defenses' effectiveness, we conducted a multilevel meta-analysis with 43 studies (127 effect sizes), accounting for different types of dependence. We used Akaike Information Criterion (AICc) to select the best model. The model with the lowest AICc value included only the boiling point, which defines how quickly a chemical substance volatilizes. This model indicated that the most effective chemical defenses had lower boiling point values, i.e., higher volatility. Moreover, we did not find chemicals with very low boiling points, suggesting there might be an optimum range of volatility. Other models, including the intercept-only model, were also recovered among the best models, therefore further studies are needed to confirm the relationship between volatility and chemical defenses' effectiveness. Our results highlight the value of incorporating physicochemical properties in the ecological and evolutionary study of chemical defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximenes Nathalia
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
- Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Laboratory of Sensory Ecology and Behavior of Arthropods, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Moraes Vinicius
- Laboratório de Taxonomia Ecologia e Interações de Aracnídeos, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | | | - Gawryszewski Felipe
- Departamento de Zoologia, Evolutionary Ecology Laboratory, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Willemart Rodrigo
- Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Laboratory of Sensory Ecology and Behavior of Arthropods, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Steele T, Singer RD, Bjørnson S. Alkaloid content in microsporidia-infected Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) life stages, and pathogen spore load in adults after exposure to physical stress. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 200:107969. [PMID: 37423339 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The two-spotted lady beetle, Adalia bipunctata L., displays warning colouration that is reinforced by the production of adaline and adalinine. These alkaloids are thought to provide defense against predation throughout all life stages of A. bipunctata and may play a role in the insect immune system. Vairimorpha (Nosema) adaliae, a microsporidium described from A. bipunctata, has minimal effects on its host (delayed larval development) when reared under optimum conditions but stress factors are shown to affect the development of microsporidiosis. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of V. adaliae on relative alkaloid content (adaline) during A. bipunctata development, and to evaluate the combined effects of physical stress and infection on adult beetles (relative alkaloid content and infection load). First-instar larvae were isolated from uninfected and V. adaliae-infected colonies. Eggs and first-instar larvae were immediately prepared for alkaloid analysis, whereas late-instar larvae, pupae and adults were systematically processed when each reached their designated developmental stage. Upon eclosion, a subsample of beetles was exposed to varying amounts of physical agitation: control (no shaking), alternate shaking (every other day), and daily shaking. Immediately following these stress trials, alkaloid samples were collected for analysis and spore loads were assessed. Overall, relative adaline proportions increased from egg to adult. Uninfected individuals had significantly higher relative proportions of adaline than did infected individuals during early development; however, adaline content was higher in infected A. bipunctata from the third-instar onwards, when compared to their uninfected counterparts. Following exposure to physical agitation on alternate days, uninfected adults had a significantly higher relative proportion of adaline than did infected adults. Interestingly, exposure to different levels of agitation had no significant effect on alkaloid production for either uninfected or infected beetles. Mean spore counts were significantly higher for adults that were exposed to daily shaking when compared to individuals from the control and alternate shaking groups. From a biological perspective, one would expect to observe differences in alkaloid production through coccinellid development, as each successive life stage faces different external pressures and risks. When infected with the microsporidium V. adaliae, however, adaline production was reduced during early development but increased significantly in late life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Steele
- Department of Biology, Saint Mary's University, 923 Robie Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3C3, Canada.
| | - R D Singer
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Mary's University, 923 Robie Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3C3, Canada
| | - S Bjørnson
- Department of Biology, Saint Mary's University, 923 Robie Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3C3, Canada
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3
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Vijendravarma RK. Diverse strategies that animals use to deter intraspecific predation. J Evol Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Giglio ML, Boland W, Heras H. Egg toxic compounds in the animal kingdom. A comprehensive review. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:1938-1969. [PMID: 35916025 DOI: 10.1039/d2np00029f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Covering: 1951 to 2022Packed with nutrients and unable to escape, eggs are the most vulnerable stage of an animal's life cycle. Consequently, many species have evolved chemical defenses and teamed up their eggs with a vast array of toxic molecules for defense against predators, parasites, or pathogens. However, studies on egg toxins are rather scarce and the available information is scattered. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of animal egg toxins and to analyze the trends and patterns with respect to the chemistry and biosynthesis of these toxins. We analyzed their ecology, distribution, sources, occurrence, structure, function, relative toxicity, and mechanistic aspects and include a brief section on the aposematic coloration of toxic eggs. We propose criteria for a multiparametric classification that accounts for the complexity of analyzing the full set of toxins of animal eggs. Around 100 properly identified egg toxins are found in 188 species, distributed in 5 phyla: cnidarians (2) platyhelminths (2), mollusks (9), arthropods (125), and chordates (50). Their scattered pattern among animals suggests that species have evolved this strategy independently on numerous occasions. Alkaloids are the most abundant and widespread, among the 13 types of egg toxins recognized. Egg toxins are derived directly from the environment or are endogenously synthesized, and most of them are transferred by females inside the eggs. Their toxicity ranges from ρmol kg-1 to mmol kg-1, and for some species, experiments support their role in predation deterrence. There is still a huge gap in information to complete the whole picture of this field and the number of toxic eggs seems largely underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matías L Giglio
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr Rodolfo R. Brenner", INIBIOLP, CONICET CCT La Plata - Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, 60 y 120, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Wilhelm Boland
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Horacio Heras
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr Rodolfo R. Brenner", INIBIOLP, CONICET CCT La Plata - Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, 60 y 120, 1900 La Plata, Argentina. .,Cátedra de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
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How Diet Leads to Defensive Dynamism: Effect of the Dietary Quality on Autogenous Alkaloid Recovery Rate in a Chemically Defended Beetle. J Chem Ecol 2021; 48:99-107. [PMID: 34799770 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01326-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The impact of different diets on chemical defense has been extensively studied in animals that sequester defensive chemicals from food. However, there are fewer studies of diet-mediated variation in autogenously produced defenses. Ladybird beetles, which use autogenously synthesized defensive alkaloids, are used as models in a wide diversity of studies of chemical defense, specifically in studies of intraspecific variation in color pattern and chemical defense. Many aphidophagous ladybirds consume a wide diversity of aphid prey, which vary in quality and thus could affect the synthesis of chemical defense. We measured alkaloid recovery rate after reflex bleeding by the ladybird Adalia bipunctata on two different aphid diets, the high quality Acyrthosiphon pisum and the lower quality Aphis fabae. Alkaloids reaccumulated in ladybirds more slowly when they were fed A. fabae than when they were fed A. pisum and females generally had more alkaloid than males, but reaccumulated alkaloid more slowly. Recovery times were more than 12 days. There appeared to be a weak positive relationship between alkaloid level and time since reflex bleeding for eggs of A. pisum- but not A. fabae-fed females. Our findings on diet and alkaloid synthesis in ladybirds suggest that chemical defense levels are very dynamic, indicating that studies conducted at a single point in time, such as those focused on ladybird color pattern, fail to consider a wide diversity of temporal variation that occurs in the field. This is likely true for many autogenously produced chemical defense systems in a diversity of other organisms.
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Interactions of ants with native and invasive lady beetles and the role of chemical cues in intraguild interference. CHEMOECOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00049-021-00354-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe predator-predator naïveté hypothesis suggests that non-native predators benefit from being unknown to native predators, resulting in reduced intraguild interference with native predators. This novelty advantage should depend on the ability of native predators to recognize cues of non-native predators. Here, we compared ant aggression and lady beetle reaction in four native and the invasive lady beetle species Harmonia axyridis. In addition, we tested whether lady beetle cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are involved in species recognition, which might explain naïveté if the invasive species has a specific CHC profile. To this end, we conducted behavioral assays confronting two native ant species with both living lady beetles and lady beetle elytra bearing or lacking CHCs of different lady beetle species. Finally, we characterized CHC profiles of the lady beetles using GC–MS. In general, the aggression of Lasius niger was more frequent than that of Myrmica rubra and L. niger aggression was more frequent towards most native lady beetle species compared to H. axyridis. The removal of CHCs from lady beetle elytra reduced aggression of both ant species. If CHCs of respective lady beetle species were added on cue-free elytra, natural strength of L. niger aggression could be restored. CHC analyses revealed a distinct cue composition for each lady beetle species. Our experiments demonstrate that the presence of chemical cues on the surface of lady beetles contribute to the strength of ant aggression against lady beetles. Reduced aggression of L. niger towards H. axyridis and reduced avoidance behavior in H. axyridis compared to the equally voracious C. septempunctata might improve the invasive lady beetle’s access to ant-tended aphids.
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Gardiner MM, Perry KI, Riley CB, Turo KJ, Delgado de la flor YA, Sivakoff FS. Community science data suggests that urbanization and forest habitat loss threaten aphidophagous native lady beetles. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:2761-2774. [PMID: 33767834 PMCID: PMC7981222 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Community scientists have illustrated rapid declines of several aphidophagous lady beetle (Coccinellidae) species. These declines coincide with the establishment of alien coccinellids. We established the Buckeye Lady Beetle Blitz program to measure the seasonal occupancy of coccinellids within gardens across a wide range of landscape contexts. Following the Habitat Compression Hypothesis, we predicted that gardens within agricultural landscapes would be alien-dominated, whereas captures of natives would be higher within landscapes encompassing a high concentration of natural habitat.Within the state of Ohio, USA, community scientists collected lady beetles for a 7-day period across 4 years in June and August using yellow sticky card traps. All identifications were verified by professional scientists and beetles were classified by three traits: status (alien or native), mean body length, and primary diet. We compared the relative abundance and diversity of coccinellids seasonally and determined if the distribution of beetles by size, status, and diet was related to landscape features.Alien species dominated the aphidophagous fauna. Native aphidophagous coccinellid abundance was positively correlated with forest habitat while alien species were more common when gardens were embedded within agricultural landscapes. Urbanization was negatively associated with both aphidophagous alien and native coccinellids. Synthesis and Applications: Our census of native coccinellid species within residential gardens-a widespread and understudied habitat-was enabled by volunteers. These data will serve as an important baseline to track future changes within coccinellid communities within this region. We found that native coccinellid species richness and native aphidophagous coccinellid abundance in gardens were positively associated with forest habitat at a landscape scale of 2 km. However, our understanding of when and why (overwintering, summer foraging, or both) forest habitats are important remains unclear. Our findings highlight the need to understand how declining aphidophagous native species utilize forest habitats as a conservation priority.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kayla I. Perry
- Department of EntomologyThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
| | - Christopher B. Riley
- Department of EntomologyThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
- Bartlett Tree Research LaboratoriesCharlotteNCUSA
| | | | - Yvan A. Delgado de la flor
- Department of EntomologyThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
- California Department of Pesticide RegulationSacramentoCAUSA
| | - Frances S. Sivakoff
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal BiologyThe Ohio State UniversityMarionOHUSA
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Chen M, Mei Y, Chen X, Chen X, Xiao D, He K, Li Q, Wu M, Wang S, Zhang F, Li F. A chromosome-level assembly of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis as a genomic resource to study beetle and invasion biology. Mol Ecol Resour 2021; 21:1318-1332. [PMID: 33529495 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), is a well-known model organism for genetic studies and is also a well-studied natural enemy used for pest control. It became an invasive species after being introduced to North America and Europe as a pest control agent. Though two genome assemblies for this insect have been previously reported, a high-quality genome assembly at the chromosome level is still not available. Here, we obtained a new chromosome-level genome assembly of H. axyridis by combining various sequencing technologies, namely Illumina short reads, PacBio long reads, 10X Genomics and Hi-C. The chromosome-level genome assembly is 423 Mb with a scaffold N50 of 45.92 Mb. Using Hi-C data 1,897 scaffolds were anchored to eight chromosomes. A total of 730,068 repeat sequences were identified, making up 51.2% of the assembled genome. After masking these repeat sequences, we annotated 22,810 protein-encoding genes. The X chromosome and Y-linked scaffolds were also identified by resequencing male and female genomes and calculating the male to female coverage ratios. Two gene families associated with environmental adaptation, odorant receptor and cytochrome P450, were analysed and showed no obvious expansion in H. axyridis. We successfully constructed a putative biosynthesis pathway of harmonine, a defence compound in the haemolymph of H. axyridis, which is a key factor for H. axyridis strong immunity. The chromosome-level genome assembly of H. axyridis is a helpful resource for studies of beetle biology and invasive biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyao Chen
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Mei
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Da Xiao
- Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kang He
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengmeng Wu
- Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Su Wang
- Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Li
- Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Bayoumy MH, Osawa N, Hatt S. Fitness costs of reflex bleeding in the ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis: the role of parental effects. INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 27:1346-1359. [PMID: 31762189 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Reflex bleeding is an important antipredator defense mechanism in Coccinellidae. We examined the costs of reflex bleeding in larval and adult stages of the ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis on offspring fitness and reproductive performance through the comparisons between bled and control larvae, reciprocal crosses of bled/control beetles, and early and late clutch phenotypes. Beetles bled during their larval stage spent a longer time in development and weighed less than controls. Egg fertility was reduced for crosses where either one or both parents had been bled during the larval or adult stage. Offspring crosses that included a parent bled during the larval stage suffered fitness costs in development and female body mass, while those bled during the adult stage suffered no transgenerational costs. Males that suffered bleeding during their larval stage accelerated progeny development of nonbled females in early clutches, suggesting a positive transgenerational effect of larval bleeding, while males that did not suffer bleeding accelerated progeny development of bled females in later clutches. As the underlying effects of bleeding on females' offspring in the early clutches were diminished in the late ones, suggesting another transgenerational effect. The strengths of maternal and paternal effects on progeny development of parents bled at the larval stage were higher in earlier clutches. This study suggests that H. axyridis adults are less affected than larvae by the frequent use of the defensive secretions in their stressful habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed H Bayoumy
- Faculty of Agriculture, Economic Entomology Department, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- Laboratory of Forest Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Naoya Osawa
- Laboratory of Forest Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Séverin Hatt
- Laboratory of Forest Ecology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Patel RN, Richards DP, Duce IR, Birkett MA, Sattelle DB, Mellor IR. Actions on mammalian and insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of harmonine-containing alkaloid extracts from the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 166:104561. [PMID: 32448416 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2020.104561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (H. axyridis), possesses a strong chemical defence that has contributed to its invasive success. Ladybird beetle defensive chemicals, secreted in response to stress and also found on the coating of laid eggs, are rich in alkaloids that are thought to be responsible for this beetle's toxicity to other species. Recent studies have shown that alkaloids from several species of ladybird beetle can target nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) acting as receptor antagonists, hence we have explored the actions of alkaloids of the ladybird H. axyridis on both mammalian and insect nAChRs. Electrophysiological studies on native and functionally expressed recombinant nAChRs were used to establish whether an alkaloid extract from H. axyridis (HAE) targeted nAChRs and whether any selectivity exists for insect over mammalian receptors of this type. HAE was found to be an inhibitor of all nAChRs tested with the voltage-dependence of inhibition and the effect on ACh EC50 differing between nAChR subtypes. Our finding that an HAE fraction consisting almost entirely of harmonine had a strong inhibitory effect points to this alkaloid as a key component of nAChR inhibitory actions. Comparison of HAE inhibition between the mammalian and insect nAChRs investigated indicates some preference for the insect nAChR supporting the view that investigation of ladybird alkaloids shows promise as a method for identifying natural product leads for future insecticide development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit N Patel
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - David P Richards
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Ian R Duce
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Michael A Birkett
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - David B Sattelle
- Centre for Respiratory Biology, UCL Respiratory, University College London, Rayne Building, University Street, London WC1E 6JF, UK.
| | - Ian R Mellor
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
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Vilcinskas A. Pathogens associated with invasive or introduced insects threaten the health and diversity of native species. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 33:43-48. [PMID: 31358194 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Insect populations are declining even in protected areas, but the underlying causes are unclear. Here, I consider whether the factors driving the loss of insect diversity include invasive and/or introduced insects transmitting pathogens to less-resistant native species. The introduction of insects into new areas for biocontrol, to promote pollination, or for mass rearing in insect farms, threatens the health and diversity of indigenous insects by the co-introduction of entomopathogens whose spillover is difficult to control. Even less virulent pathogens or covert infections can become lethal if environmental stressors weaken the resistance of indigenous host species in an additive, potentiating or synergistic manner. More research is needed to develop effective strategies that protect the health and diversity of native insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Dep. Bioresources, Leihgesterner Weg 85, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
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Narasimha S, Nagornov KO, Menin L, Mucciolo A, Rohwedder A, Humbel BM, Stevens M, Thum AS, Tsybin YO, Vijendravarma RK. Drosophila melanogaster cloak their eggs with pheromones, which prevents cannibalism. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e2006012. [PMID: 30629594 PMCID: PMC6328083 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2006012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Oviparous animals across many taxa have evolved diverse strategies that deter egg predation, providing valuable tests of how natural selection mitigates direct fitness loss. Communal egg laying in nonsocial species minimizes egg predation. However, in cannibalistic species, this very behavior facilitates egg predation by conspecifics (cannibalism). Similarly, toxins and aposematic signaling that deter egg predators are often inefficient against resistant conspecifics. Egg cannibalism can be adaptive, wherein cannibals may benefit through reduced competition and added nutrition, but since it reduces Darwinian fitness, the evolution of anticannibalistic strategies is rife. However, such strategies are likely to be nontoxic because deploying toxins against related individuals would reduce inclusive fitness. Here, we report how D. melanogaster use specific hydrocarbons to chemically mask their eggs from cannibal larvae. Using an integrative approach combining behavioral, sensory, and mass spectrometry methods, we demonstrate that maternally provisioned pheromone 7,11-heptacosadiene (7,11-HD) in the eggshell’s wax layer deters egg cannibalism. Furthermore, we show that 7,11-HD is nontoxic, can mask underlying substrates (for example, yeast) when coated upon them, and its detection requires pickpocket 23 (ppk23) gene function. Finally, using light and electron microscopy, we demonstrate how maternal pheromones leak-proof the egg, consequently concealing it from conspecific larvae. Our data suggest that semiochemicals possibly subserve in deceptive functions across taxa, especially when predators rely on chemical cues to forage, and stimulate further research on deceptive strategies mediated through nonvisual sensory modules. This study thus highlights how integrative approaches can illuminate our understanding on the adaptive significance of deceptive defenses and the mechanisms through which they operate. Egg-laying species that lack parental care often protect their eggs from predators by laying them in communal groups or by fortifying them with toxins. However, these strategies may backfire when the predators are from the same species (cannibals) since a) there are plenty of available eggs in these sites, b) the cannibals may be resistant to the toxins, and c) poisoning cannibals who may be related would reduce inclusive fitness. Under these circumstances, natural selection should favor anticannibalistic strategies that are likely to be nontoxic. Here, we investigate how fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), which oviposit communally, protect their eggs from cannibalism by their own larvae. We show that maternal hydrocarbons incorporated into the egg’s wax layer to make them waterproof interestingly also serve as a mask that conceals their identity from cannibal larvae. In particular, we identify one female sex pheromone that deters cannibalism by forming a layer around the egg to conceal it. We further demonstrate that this pheromone is nontoxic and can mask underlying substrates such as yeast when used as a coating. While deceptive strategies (such as camouflage) deployed to avoid predation are extensively studied from a visual perspective, our findings suggest that deceptive strategies operating through other nonvisual sensory systems might be equally common across taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunitha Narasimha
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Laure Menin
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Mucciolo
- Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Astrid Rohwedder
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Bruno M. Humbel
- Electron Microscopy Facility, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martin Stevens
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, University of Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas S. Thum
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Yury O. Tsybin
- Spectroswiss Sàrl, EPFL Innovation Park, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Lee BW, Ugine TA, Losey JE. An Assessment of the Physiological Costs of Autogenous Defenses in Native and Introduced Lady Beetles. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 47:1030-1038. [PMID: 29846514 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvy068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Many lady beetles expel an autogenously produced alkaloid-rich 'reflex blood' as an antipredator defense. We conducted an experiment to determine whether there was a measurable fitness cost associated with the daily induction of this defensive behavior, and whether costs differed between native (Coccinella novemnotata Herbst (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)) and invasive species (Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)). Newly mated females were provided a restricted or unrestricted amount of aphids and were bled for 10 d. We measured the mass of reflex blood produced and the total number and viability of eggs laid per day. The amount of reflex blood released per day increased for C. septempunctata at the restricted level and did not change for any other species-diet level combination. We did not detect a significant cost of reflex bleeding on the quantity or viability of eggs laid by any species, even at the restricted aphid level. Remarkably, bled individuals at the ad libitum level laid significantly more viable eggs compared to controls. All species laid significantly fewer total eggs (49-69% fewer) at the low versus high aphid level. These results demonstrate that while resource scarcity has a negative impact on fecundity, repeated use of the reflex bleeding defense system does not. These results support the findings of other reports and strongly suggest that adult lady beetles incur no measurable physiological costs related to the induction of the reflex-bleeding defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin W Lee
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
- Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Todd A Ugine
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - John E Losey
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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Magro A, Ramon‐Portugal F, Facon B, Ducamp C, Hemptinne J. The evolution of chemical defenses along invasion routes: Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera) as a case study. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:8344-8353. [PMID: 30250707 PMCID: PMC6145016 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 05/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of increased competitive ability (EICA) hypothesis (Blossey & Nötzold, 1995) postulates that escaping from coevolved enemies increases invaders fitness by energy reallocation from defenses and immunity to growth and reproduction. In this context, we evaluated the evidence of evolutionary change in invasive populations of Harmonia axyridis Pallas (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera). We measured egg defenses-cocktail of hydrocarbons on the egg's surface flagging egg toxicity and the concentration of the main alkaloid harmonine-in individuals from three populations along the invasion route (Japan: native, United States: introduced more than 30 years ago, South Africa: introduced in the early 2000s) in a common garden experiment. Our results support the EICA hypothesis: We found changes along the invasion route in the profiles of the hydrocarbons coating the eggs' surface and a decrease in the concentration of harmonine in eggs from the most recent invasive South African population compared to the long established in the United States and the native Japanese ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Magro
- UMR CNRS EDBUniversité Paul SabatierToulouseFrance
- ENSFEACastanet‐TolosanFrance
| | | | - Benoît Facon
- UMR INRA PVBMTCIRADSaint Pierre‐La RéunionFrance
| | - Christine Ducamp
- UMR CNRS EDBUniversité Paul SabatierToulouseFrance
- ENSFEACastanet‐TolosanFrance
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The influence of microsporidian pathogens from commercially available lady beetles on larval development of the green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea, in the absence of infection. J Invertebr Pathol 2018; 153:1-5. [PMID: 29410054 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 01/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In North America, more than 70 species of natural enemies are available for pest control, including the aphid predators, Adalia bipunctata L. (two-spotted lady beetle) and Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville (convergent lady beetle), and the generalist predator Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (green lacewing). The two lady beetle species are known to host microsporidian pathogens: Nosema adaliae was originally described from Adalia bipunctata and Tubulinosema hippodamiae from H. convergens. Microsporidia are spore-forming pathogens that typically produce chronic, debilitating disease. Because the spores of both pathogens are transovarially transmitted through beetle eggs, the predation behavior of lacewing larvae provides an opportunity for the transmission of these pathogens when infected lady beetles and lacewings share the same local environment. In this study, uninfected and microsporidia-infected eggs from A. bipunctata and H. convergens were offered to C. carnea larvae. The development of larvae that consumed N. adaliae-infected eggs was not affected, but larval development was prolonged by almost 3 days for those that consumed two or more T. hippodamiae-infected eggs. Prolonged larval development is considered to be costly because larvae remain vulnerable to cannibalization by sibling larvae or other predators. Longevity did not differ significantly between sexes of C. carnea, and the sex ratio of newly eclosed adults did not differ from the previously reported sex ratio of 1♂: 1♀. Upon examination by light microscopy at the end of the trial, two C. carnea larvae were infected with N. adaliae and none were infected with T. hippodamiae, suggesting that T. hippodamiae influenced lacewing larval development without establishing an infection.
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Paul SC, Stevens M, Burton J, Pell JK, Birkett MA, Blount JD. Invasive Egg Predators and Food Availability Interactively Affect Maternal Investment in Egg Chemical Defense. Front Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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18
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Verheggen FJ, Vogel H, Vilcinskas A. Behavioral and Immunological Features Promoting the Invasive Performance of the Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis. Front Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2017.00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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Hautier L, San Martin G, Jansen JP, Branquart E, Grégoire JC. Spiny Prey, Fortunate Prey. Dorsal Spines Are an Asset in Intraguild Interactions among Lady Beetles. Front Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2017.00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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20
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Predators and parasitoids of the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, in its native range and invaded areas. Biol Invasions 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-017-1608-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Vogel H, Schmidtberg H, Vilcinskas A. Comparative transcriptomics in three ladybird species supports a role for immunity in invasion biology. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 67:452-456. [PMID: 27693193 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2016.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The spread of the invasive harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) in Europe is accompanied by the decline of the native and non-invasive two-spotted ladybird (Adalia bipunctata). Here we show that microsporidia carried by H. axyridis can kill A. bipunctata following the oral uptake of spores, suggesting that their horizontal transmission via intraguild predation may help the invader to outcompete its native competitor. The native seven-spotted ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) is thought to be less susceptible both to the spread of H. axyridis and to its microsporidia. To investigate whether the distinct levels of pathogen susceptibility in these three ladybird species are determined by their immune systems, we compared the immunity-related transcriptomes of untreated beetles and beetles challenged with suspensions of bacteria and yeast. We found that H. axyridis carries three and four times as many genes encoding antimicrobial peptides representing the attacin, coleoptericin and defensin families than C. septempunctata and A. bipunctata, respectively. Gene expression studies following the injection of bacteria and yeasts into beetles revealed that members of these three antimicrobial peptide families are also induced more strongly in H. axyridis than C. septempunctata or A. bipunctata. Our results therefore support the hypothesis that a superior immune system promotes the performance of invasive species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiko Vogel
- Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Entomology Department, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Henrike Schmidtberg
- Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Bioresources, Winchester Str. 2, 35395 Giessen, Germany.
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Diepenbrock LM, Fothergill K, Tindall KV, Losey JE, Smyth RR, Finke DL. The Influence of Exotic Lady Beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Establishment on the Species Composition of the Native Lady Beetle Community in Missouri. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 45:855-864. [PMID: 27271949 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvw065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The diversity and abundance of native lady beetles (Coccinellidae) in North America has declined in recent decades. This decline is often correlated with the introduction and establishment of exotic lady beetle species, including Coccinella septempunctata L. and Harmonia axyridis Pallas, suggesting that exotic species precipitated the decline of native lady beetles. We examined species records of native coccinellids in Missouri over 118 yr and asked whether the species composition of the community experienced a shift following the establishment of the exotic species. We found that the contemporary native coccinellid community is different from the community that was present nearly a century ago. However, there was no evidence for a recent abrupt shift in composition triggered by the establishment of exotic species. Instead, our data suggest that the native lady beetle community has been undergoing consistent and gradual change over time, with some species decreasing in abundance and others increasing. While not excluding exotic species as a factor contributing to the decline of native lady beetle species, our findings suggest that other continuous factors, like land use change, may have played a more influential role in determining the composition of the native coccinellid communities within our region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kent Fothergill
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO (; ; ; )
| | - Kelly V Tindall
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO (; ; ; )
| | - John E Losey
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (; )
| | - Rebecca R Smyth
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (; )
| | - Deborah L Finke
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO (; ; ; )
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Paul SC, Pell JK, Blount JD. Reproduction in Risky Environments: The Role of Invasive Egg Predators in Ladybird Laying Strategies. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0139404. [PMID: 26488753 PMCID: PMC4619405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive environments are variable and the resources available for reproduction are finite. If reliable cues about the environment exist, mothers can alter offspring phenotype in a way that increases both offspring and maternal fitness (‘anticipatory maternal effects’—AMEs). Strategic use of AMEs is likely to be important in chemically defended species, where the risk of offspring predation may be modulated by maternal investment in offspring toxin level, albeit at some cost to mothers. Whether mothers adjust offspring toxin levels in response to variation in predation risk is, however, unknown, but is likely to be important when assessing the response of chemically defended species to the recent and pervasive changes in the global predator landscape, driven by the spread of invasive species. Using the chemically defended two-spot ladybird, Adalia bipunctata, we investigated reproductive investment, including egg toxin level, under conditions that varied in the degree of simulated offspring predation risk from larval harlequin ladybirds, Harmonia axyridis. H. axyridis is a highly voracious alien invasive species in the UK and a significant intraguild predator of A. bipunctata. Females laid fewer, larger egg clusters, under conditions of simulated predation risk (P+) than when predator cues were absent (P-), but there was no difference in toxin level between the two treatments. Among P- females, when mean cluster size increased there were concomitant increases in both the mass and toxin concentration of eggs, however when P+ females increased cluster size there was no corresponding increase in egg toxin level. We conclude that, in the face of offspring predation risk, females either withheld toxins or were physiologically constrained, leading to a trade-off between cluster size and egg toxin level. Our results provide the first demonstration that the risk of offspring predation by a novel invasive predator can influence maternal investment in toxins within their offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C. Paul
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Judith K. Pell
- J. K. Pell Consulting, Luton, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan D. Blount
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Gegner T, Otti O, Tragust S, Feldhaar H. Do microsporidia function as "biological weapon" for Harmonia axyridis under natural conditions? INSECT SCIENCE 2015; 22:353-359. [PMID: 25829258 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Invasive alien species, such as the multicoloured Asian ladybird Harmonia axyridis, are often regarded as major drivers of biodiversity loss. Therefore understanding which characteristics or mechanisms contribute to their invasive success is important. Here the role of symbiotic microsporidia in the hemolymph of H. axyridis was investigated in the context of intraguild predation between wild-caught H. axyridis and the native ladybird species Coccinella septempunctata. The microsporidia were recently discussed to contribute to the unpalatability of Harmonia for other coccinellids during intraguild predation and to function as "biological weapons". In the present study, visual detection of microsporidia in hemolymph samples revealed that 73.5% of H. axyridis were infected. Intraguild predation experiments between larvae of the two species showed a significant competitive advantage for H. axyridis, even against larger larvae of C. septempunctata. Adult C. septempunctata always killed and fed on H. axyridis larvae. However only 11.4% (4 of 47) of C. septempunctata that fed on infected H. axyridis died within 4 months. In contrast to previous studies this suggests that microsporidia or harmonine, the chemical defense compound of H. axyridis, do not lead to death of C. septempunctata preying on larvae of H. axyridis. Instead our results support the idea that competitive advantage during intraguild predation greatly facilitates the success of H. axyridis and that this may help this highly invasive species to outcompete native species. The impact of microsporidia on Harmonia itself as well as on interspecific interactions require further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Gegner
- Animal Population Ecology, Department of Animal Ecology I, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, D-95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Oliver Otti
- Animal Population Ecology, Department of Animal Ecology I, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, D-95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Simon Tragust
- Animal Population Ecology, Department of Animal Ecology I, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, D-95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Heike Feldhaar
- Animal Population Ecology, Department of Animal Ecology I, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, D-95440, Bayreuth, Germany
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Vilcinskas A, Schmidtberg H, Estoup A, Tayeh A, Facon B, Vogel H. Evolutionary ecology of microsporidia associated with the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis. INSECT SCIENCE 2015; 22:313-324. [PMID: 25131382 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Invasive species are characterized by the rapid growth and spread of their populations after establishing a foothold in new habitats, and there are now many examples of such species negatively affecting biodiversity and the economy. It is unclear why some species can become successful invaders, whereas most (even if closely related) remain noninvasive. We previously proposed a hypothesis that parasites associated with invading species can promote their invasive success if they are harmless toward the invaders but harmful to their competitors and/or predators in the newly colonized habitat. Here we discuss whether microsporidia that have recently been discovered in the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis contribute to its invasive success. We show that all H. axyridis beetles sourced from diverse collection sites all over the world carry abundant microsporidia. This suggests that both native and invasive H. axyridis populations are associated with these tolerated parasites, which were likely to have existed in native populations before expansion rather than being acquired in newly colonized areas. We describe the pathogenesis of the microsporidia during different developmental stages of H. axyridis and we address the possibility that the predation of its infected eggs and larvae by competing native ladybird species may lead to their infection and ultimately to their decline. Finally, we discuss our initial hypothesis: microsporidia that are tolerated by an invasive vector insect can be active against susceptible native competitors and/or predator species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute of Phytopathology and Applied Zoology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, Giessen, D-35392, Germany
| | - Henrike Schmidtberg
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchester Strasse 2, Giessen, D-35394, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Heiko Vogel
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Strasse 8, D-07745, Jena, Germany
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Wheeler CA, Millar JG, Cardé RT. Multimodal signal interactions in the ladybeetle, Hippodamia convergens, aposematic system. CHEMOECOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s00049-014-0181-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Rondoni G, Ielo F, Ricci C, Conti E. Intraguild Predation Responses in Two Aphidophagous Coccinellids Identify Differences among Juvenile Stages and Aphid Densities. INSECTS 2014; 5:974-83. [PMID: 26462953 PMCID: PMC4592604 DOI: 10.3390/insects5040974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Revised: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
(1) Intraguild predation (IGP) can occur among aphidophagous predators thus reducing their effectiveness in controlling crop pests. Among ladybirds, Coccinella septempunctata L. and Hippodamia variegata Goeze are the most effective predators upon Aphis gossypii Glov., which is an economically important pest of melon. Understanding their likelihood to engage in reciprocal predation is a key point for conservation of biological control. Here, we aim to investigate, under laboratory conditions, the level of IGP between the two above mentioned aphidophagous species. (2) Fourth-instars of the two species were isolated in petri dishes with combinations of different stages of the heterospecific ladybird and different densities of A. gossypii. The occurrence of IGP events was recorded after six hours. (3) C. septempunctata predated H. variegata at a higher rate than vice versa (70% vs. 43% overall). Higher density of the aphid or older juvenile stage of the IG-prey (22% of fourth instars vs. 74% of eggs and second instars) reduces the likelihood of predation. (4) To our knowledge, IGP between C. septempunctata and H. variegata was investigated for the first time. Results represent a baseline, necessary to predict the likelihood of IGP occurrence in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Rondoni
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, Perugia 06121, Italy.
| | - Fulvio Ielo
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, Perugia 06121, Italy.
| | - Carlo Ricci
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, Perugia 06121, Italy.
| | - Eric Conti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, Perugia 06121, Italy.
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Kajita Y, Obrycki JJ, Sloggett JJ, Evans EW, Haynes KF. Do defensive chemicals facilitate intraguild predation and influence invasion success in ladybird beetles? J Chem Ecol 2014; 40:1212-9. [PMID: 25380992 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-014-0513-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Egg predation and cannibalism are believed to be common phenomena among many species of aphidophagous predatory ladybird beetles despite the presence of alkaloid based defensive chemicals in all life stages. We identified defensive chemicals from eggs of three congeneric species, one introduced into North America (Coccinella septempunctata L.), and two native (C. transversoguttata richardsoni Brown, and C. novemnotata Herbst), and examined the effects of ingested defensive chemicals on first instars. Ingested congeneric alkaloids were not toxic to first instars, likely because the three congeners produce the same principal alkaloids, precoccinelline and coccinelline, in similar amounts. First instars of the three congeners accumulated alkaloids ingested through egg cannibalism and congeneric predation. Egg consumption doubled the amount of alkaloids in first instars when they fed on conspecific or congeneric eggs, in comparison to a pea aphid diet. No detrimental effects of ingested congeneric alkaloids on development or survival of first instars were observed among these congeners. Chemical defenses of eggs are therefore not likely to be important in favoring the invasive species, C. septempunctata, in interactions with these native congeneric species. Because the invasive species is the most aggressive predator, having the same types of alkaloids may facilitate disproportionate intraguild predation on native congeners by C. septempunctata thereby potentially enhancing the invasion success of this introduced species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukie Kajita
- Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546-0091, USA,
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The role of exotic ladybeetles in the decline of native ladybeetle populations: evidence from long-term monitoring. Biol Invasions 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-014-0772-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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31
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Winters AE, Stevens M, Mitchell C, Blomberg SP, Blount JD. Maternal effects and warning signal honesty in eggs and offspring of an aposematic ladybird beetle. Funct Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne E. Winters
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation; College of Life & Environmental Sciences; University of Exeter; Penryn Campus Cornwall TR10 9EZ UK
- School of Biological Sciences; The University of Queensland; Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Martin Stevens
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation; College of Life & Environmental Sciences; University of Exeter; Penryn Campus Cornwall TR10 9EZ UK
- Department of Zoology; University of Cambridge; Cambridge CB2 3EJ UK
| | - Chris Mitchell
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation; College of Life & Environmental Sciences; University of Exeter; Penryn Campus Cornwall TR10 9EZ UK
| | - Simon P. Blomberg
- School of Biological Sciences; The University of Queensland; Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
| | - Jonathan D. Blount
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation; College of Life & Environmental Sciences; University of Exeter; Penryn Campus Cornwall TR10 9EZ UK
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Tayeh A, Estoup A, Lombaert E, Guillemaud T, Kirichenko N, Lawson-Handley L, De Clercq P, Facon B. Cannibalism in invasive, native and biocontrol populations of the harlequin ladybird. BMC Evol Biol 2014; 14:15. [PMID: 24495338 PMCID: PMC3913791 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-14-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cannibalism is widespread in both vertebrates and invertebrates but its extent is variable between and within species. Cannibalism depends on population density and nutritional conditions, and could be beneficial during colonisation of new environments. Empirical studies are needed to determine whether this trait might facilitate invasion of a new area in natural systems. We investigated whether the propensity for cannibalism in H. axyridis differs both between native and invasive populations and between invasive populations from the core and from the front of the invasive area in Western Europe. We also compared the propensity for cannibalism of these natural populations with that of laboratory-reared biocontrol populations. We measured the cannibalism rates of eggs by first instar larvae and adult females at two different individual densities of ladybirds from three types of population (invasive, native and biocontrol), in laboratory-controlled conditions. Results Cannibalism was significantly greater in larvae from invasive populations compared to native or biocontrol populations, but there was no difference in cannibalism rates between populations from the core or front of the invaded range. Cannibalism was significantly lower in larvae from biocontrol populations compared to wild (invasive and native) populations. No differences in cannibalism rates of adult females were found between any populations. While high population density significantly increased cannibalism in both larvae and adults, the norm of reaction of cannibalism to individual density did not change significantly during the invasion and/or laboratory rearing processes. Conclusion This study is the first to provide evidence for a higher propensity for cannibalism in invasive populations compared to native ones. Our experiments also shed light on the difference in cannibalism evolution with respect to life stages. However, we are still at an early stage in understanding the underlying mechanisms and several different research perspectives are needed to determine whether the higher propensity for cannibalism is a general feature of the invasion process.
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Smith CA, Gardiner MM. Biodiversity loss following the introduction of exotic competitors: does intraguild predation explain the decline of native lady beetles? PLoS One 2013; 8:e84448. [PMID: 24386383 PMCID: PMC3874011 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 11/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exotic species are widely accepted as a leading cause of biodiversity decline. Lady beetles (Coccinellidae) provide an important model to study how competitor introductions impact native communities since several native coccinellids have experienced declines that coincide with the establishment and spread of exotic coccinellids. This study tested the central hypothesis that intraguild predation by exotic species has caused these declines. Using sentinel egg experiments, we quantified the extent of predation on previously-common (Hippodamia convergens) and common (Coleomegilla maculata) native coccinellid eggs versus exotic coccinellid (Harmonia axyridis) eggs in three habitats: semi-natural grassland, alfalfa, and soybean. Following the experiments quantifying egg predation, we used video surveillance to determine the composition of the predator community attacking the eggs. The extent of predation varied across habitats, and egg species. Native coccinellids often sustained greater egg predation than H. axyridis. We found no evidence that exotic coccinellids consumed coccinellid eggs in the field. Harvestmen and slugs were responsible for the greatest proportion of attacks. This research challenges the widely-accepted hypothesis that intraguild predation by exotic competitors explains the loss of native coccinellids. Although exotic coccinellids may not be a direct competitor, reduced egg predation could indirectly confer a competitive advantage to these species. A lower proportion of H. axyridis eggs removed by predators may have aided its expansion and population increase and could indirectly affect native species via exploitative or apparent competition. These results do not support the intraguild predation hypothesis for native coccinellid decline, but do bring to light the existence of complex interactions between coccinellids and the guild of generalist predators in coccinellid foraging habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea A. Smith
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Mary M. Gardiner
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
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Solter LF, Kyei-Poku GK, Johny S. Comment on “Invasive Harlequin Ladybird Carries Biological Weapons Against Native Competitors”. Science 2013; 341:1342. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1241600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leellen F. Solter
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
| | - George K. Kyei-Poku
- Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2E5, Canada
| | - Shajahan Johny
- Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2E5, Canada
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Sloggett JJ. Comment on “Invasive Harlequin Ladybird Carries Biological Weapons Against Native Competitors”. Science 2013; 341:1342. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1241827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John J. Sloggett
- Maastricht Science Programme, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, Netherlands
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Vilcinskas A, Stoecker K, Schmidtberg H, Röhrich CR, Vogel H. Invasive harlequin ladybird carries biological weapons against native competitors. Science 2013; 340:862-3. [PMID: 23687046 DOI: 10.1126/science.1234032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Invasive species that proliferate after colonizing new habitats have a negative environmental and economic impact. The reason why some species become successful invaders, whereas others, even closely related species, remain noninvasive is often unclear. The harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis, introduced for biological pest control, has become an invader that is outcompeting indigenous ladybird species in many countries. Here, we show that Harmonia carries abundant spores of obligate parasitic microsporidia closely related to Nosema thompsoni. These microsporidia, while not harming the carrier Harmonia, are lethal pathogens for the native ladybird Coccinella septempunctata. We propose that intraguild predation, representing a major selective force among competing ladybird species, causes the infection and ultimate death of native ladybirds when they feed on microsporidia-contaminated Harmonia eggs or larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute of Phytopathology and Applied Zoology, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
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The effects of three sympatric ladybird species on oviposition by Menochilus sexmaculatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). CHEMOECOLOGY 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00049-012-0124-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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