Current address: School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, Locked Bag 588, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
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Aggregative oviposition of a phytophagous beetle overcomes egg-crushing plant defences
Article first published online: 6 MAY 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2311.2011.01277.x
© 2011 The Authors. Ecological Entomology © 2011 The Royal Entomological Society
Additional Information
How to Cite
DESURMONT, G. A. and WESTON, P. A. (2011), Aggregative oviposition of a phytophagous beetle overcomes egg-crushing plant defences. Ecological Entomology, 36: 335–343. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2311.2011.01277.x
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Current address: School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, Locked Bag 588, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 6 MAY 2011
- Article first published online: 6 MAY 2011
- Accepted 16 February 2011
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Aggregative oviposition;
- behavioural ecology;
- invasion biology;
- plant defences;
- Pyrrhalta viburni;
- wound tissue;
- gregariousness
1. Gregarious behaviours in phytophagous insects are common, but their adaptive value is rarely well understood. In the present study, we document a novel case of cooperative behaviour, the aggregative oviposition of a leaf beetle, Pyrrhalta viburni Paykull, and the realised fitness benefit of overcoming a plant defensive response (wound tissue production).
2. In laboratory choice-tests, females exhibited aggregative oviposition, characterised by (i) a preference for twigs already infested by conspecifics, and (ii) positioning of new egg masses adjacent to existing ones. Field observations supported laboratory results, showing that P. viburni egg masses are most commonly found aggregated in large clusters.
3. In a field experiment using three host plants (Viburnum dentatum L., Viburnum opulus L. and Viburnum×bodnantense Aberc. ex Stearn), mean egg survivorship and twig mortality increased, while twig wound response decreased, with an increasing level of infestation. Egg survivorship was consistently higher on twigs that died than on twigs that remained alive.
4. Overall, these results suggest that, by aggregating their egg masses, P. viburni females overwhelm the twig wound response, often killing the twig in the process. Aggregative oviposition and low defences of V. dentatum to P. viburni could have facilitated the establishment and spread of this beetle in its introduced range (northeastern North America), in areas where V. dentatum is abundant.