Host plant selection

Arnold TM, TargettNM, Tanner CE, Hatch WI, Ferrari KE (2001) Evidence for methyl jasmonate-induced phlorotannin production in Fucus vesiculosus (Phaeophyceae). J Phycol 37 1026-1029 Bemays EA, Chapman RF (1994) Host-plant selection by phytophagous insects. Chapman Hall, New York... 

Bernays, E. A. and Chapman, R. F. 1994. Host-Plant Selection by Phytophagous Insects. London Chapman Hall. 

Visser, J.H. "Olfaction in the Colorado Beetle at the Onset of Host Plant Selection" Thesis, Agricultural University, Wageningen, 1979. 

The host range of the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) is limited to selected members of the family Solanaceae. In an effort to better understand the chemical basis for the host plant selection process, we have undertaken an examination of both hornworm preferred and non-preferred members of the Solanaceae. Our investigations have shown this tc be a complex system involving the subtle interaction between such behavioral modulators as (1) Ovipositional stimulants (2) Feeding stimulants and imprinters (3) Anti-feedants (A) Repel-lants (5) Insecticides. The results of these investigations will be discussed. 

BORDNER ET AL. Chemical Basis for Host Plant Selection... 

Although the ovipositional stimulant and the phagostlmulant are necessary to illicit their respective responses, they may not be sufficient to account for host-plant selection. In the case of Nicandra physaloldes, a member of the Solanaceae not preferred as a host plant by M. sexta, we have shown that aqueous extracts... 

Jermy (15) has emphasized the Importance of allomones in the host plant selection process. Although the ovlpositional and phagostimulative kalromones do not appear to be sufficient to account for host specificity by M. sexta in the host plant selection process, the mere avoidance of allomones does not appear to be sufficient either. Rather, the presence of a detectable allomone is sufficient to account for non-selection of a potential host plant. For example, given a choice between esculentum and any other suitable host plant M. sexta moths select 1. excu-lentum (16). No allomones are Involved To account for this preference, the presence of volatile orientation factor(s) may be Involved. In fact, Morgan and Lyon ( ) Isolated amyl salicylate from the host plant Datura stromonlum as an orientation factor for gravid female moths. We have also shown that an orientation factor is present in the steam distillate of esculentum leaves. 

Each step in the process of host-plant selection may be mediated by plant components. Both the secondary chemistry and nutritional value play a major role in the suitability of the host. 

Bioactive Volatile Compounds from Plants, A.C.S. Symp. 525, Washington, DC, 1993. (b) E.A. Bernays and J.A.A. Renwick, Host-Plant Selection by Phytophagous Insects, Chapman Hall, New York, 1994. 

Rockwood, L. Hubbell, S. "Host-plant selection, diet diversity, and optimal foraging in a tropical leaf-cutting ant", Oecologia, 1987, 74, 55-61. 

Fellows, D.P., Heed, W.B. (1972). Factors affecting host plant selection in desert-adapted cactiphiUc Drosophila. Ecology 53, 850-858. 

Nielsen, J. K., L. M. Larsen, and H. Sorensen, Host plant selection of the horseradish flea beetle Phyllotreta armoraciae (Col-eoptera Chrysomelidae). Identification of two flavonol glycosides stimulating feeding in combination with glucosinolates, Ent. Exp. Appl., 26, 40-48 (1979). 

In contrast to the leaf surfaces much more is known about the chemistry of the leaf interior, which is probably considerably more complex. These compounds representing nutrients, toxic allelochemicals and allelochemicals with a host plant sign character, influence feeding behavior (see Scriber, Chapter 7). As can be seen from Table 1.1, contact chemoreceptors for all types of compounds have been identified in a variety of insect species. With the exception of the two beetle larvae and the locust, all of the examples are lepidopteran larvae mainly because the two pairs of sensilla styloconica on the galea (maxilla) of these larvae can be investigated easily (Schoonhoven and Dethier, 1966). The relatively small number of contact chemoreceptors (four sensilla with four neurons) and their importance for food plant discrimination (Hanson and Dethier, 1973) make them ideal for the study of contact chemoreception in relation to host plant selection. 

The r61e of nutrients in inducing feeding is indicated by the presence of sugar and amino acid receptors. Receptor cells for lipids (sterols, phospholipids) have not yet been identified despite their rdle in nutrition (Beck and Schoonhoven, 1980 House, 1974) and host plant selection (Stddler and Hanson, 1976,1978). This is probably the result of the methodology (see Section 1.3) and not a general lack of sensitivity of contact chemoreceptors. 

Ishikawa, S., Hvias, T. and Arai, N. (1969). Chemosensory basis of host plant selection in the silkworm, Ent. exp. appl. 12, 544-54. 

Nielsen, J. K., Dalgaard, L., Larsen, L. M. and Sorensen, H. (1979) Host plant selection of the horse-radish flea beetle Phyllotreta amoraciae (Coleoptera Chrysomelidae) feeding responses to glucosinolates from several crucifers. Ent. exp. appl., 25,227-39. 

Thorsteinson, A. J. (1953) The chemotactic basis of host plant selection in an oligophagous insect (Plutella maculipennis (Curt.)). Can, J, ZooL, 31, 52-72. 

Wilde, J. de. (1958) Host plant selection in the Colorado beetle larva. Ent, exp, appL, 1, 14-22. 

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