Search results for " tritrophic interactions"
showing 3 items of 3 documents
Parasitic wasp-associated symbiont affects plant-mediated species interactions between herbivores
2018
Abstract Microbial mutualistic symbiosis is increasingly recognised as a hidden driving force in the ecology of plant–insect interactions. Although plant-associated and herbivore-associated symbionts clearly affect interactions between plants and herbivores, the effects of symbionts associated with higher trophic levels has been largely overlooked. At the third-trophic level, parasitic wasps are a common group of insects that can inject symbiotic viruses (polydnaviruses) and venom into their herbivorous hosts to support parasitoid offspring development. Here, we show that such third-trophic level symbionts act in combination with venom to affect plant-mediated interactions by reducing colon…
Influence of Feeding and Oviposition by Phytophagous Pentatomids on Photosynthesis of Herbaceous Plants
2010
Abstract Feeding by herbivorous insects may change photosynthetic activity of host plants. We studied how feeding and oviposition by herbivorous stink bugs, Murgantia histrionica and Nezara viridula (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), affect photosynthetic parameters of Brassica oleracea (savoy cabbage) and Phaseolus vulgaris (French bean). First, we measured photosynthetic gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, and emission of induced volatile organic compounds (VOC) immediately after feeding and during a post-feeding period. Photosynthesis decreased rapidly and substantially in B. oleracea and P. vulgaris infested by feeding bugs. Stomatal conductance did not decrease proportionally wit…
Should grape moth larval immunity help explaining resistance against natural enemies?
2011
National audience; In tritrophic systems (plants, phytophagous insects and natural enemies), host plant variation often keys the relative performance of both the herbivore and its associated natural enemies. In bottom-up effects, host plants could affect the fitness of phytophagous insects including growth rate and adult fertility. These effects are indirectly reflected in parasitoids whose success depends on their host quality. For instance, nutrient deficiency or/and toxic defensive compounds of the plants could slow-down the development of herbivorous insects, thus extending the window of vulnerability of attacks by natural enemies. The immune system is arguably the most common resistanc…