衡阳地区樗蚕的发生与防治技术研究

樗蚕(Philosamia cyntia Walker et Felder)是城镇园林植物上的重要害虫.本文研究了该虫在湖南省衡阳地区的生物学特性、发生规律与防治技术.结果表明,该虫在衡阳地区1年发生3代,以蛹在寄主植物上的丝质茧内越冬.5月中下旬是第1代幼虫危害高峰期,也是全年危害最严重的时期,必须采用适当的方法进行防治.在低虫口密度时,采用剪除越冬虫茧的方法,降低越冬代虫口基数.在高虫口密度时,使用高效、低毒、低残留的杀虫剂喷雾防治幼虫,可以迅速压低虫口密度.对于高大树上的樗蚕,可在其幼虫取食期,采用树干打孔注入内吸性杀虫剂的方式,有很好的防治效果.采用克百威、铁灭克等内吸、传导作用强的杀虫剂埋根的方法防治樗蚕幼虫,防效好,药效期长.     

电子鼻zNose~(TM)构建棉花挥发物指纹图谱及被害棉花挥发物释放节律分析

采用电子鼻zNose~(TM)对棉花植株常见挥发性化合物进行定性分析,确定每类化合物的相对保留指数,构建棉花植株常见挥发性化合物特征谱库.采集棉铃虫幼虫取食诱导棉株挥发性化合物,利用电子鼻构建棉铃虫幼虫危害棉株的指纹图谱.比对健康棉株与棉铃虫幼虫危害棉株的色谱图及指纹图谱发现,棉铃虫幼虫危害棉株的挥发物的种类和含量均比健康棉株的多,而且未去除棉铃虫幼虫的危害处理与去除棉铃虫幼虫的危害处理相比,被诱导挥发物的含量显著升高.通过电子鼻实时监测棉花植株各处理β-蒎烯、β-月桂烯等挥发性化合物的释放节律.结果显示,当棉铃虫幼虫危害棉株2h后,β-蒎烯的释放量明显增加,与对照相比差异显著.β-月桂烯在棉铃虫幼虫危害2h的释放量与对照相比没有显著差异,在棉铃虫幼虫危害24h释放量显著增加.6～8h β-蒎烯和β-月桂烯分别达到各自最大释放量,随后缓慢回落,但仍然保持较高释放水平.图3表1参24     

衡阳地区黄刺蛾生活史及滞育习性观察

黄刺蛾Cmdocampa flavescens Walker 是我国林木、果树和园林绿化树上的重要害虫。该虫在湖南省衡阳地区1年发生1代,以老熟幼虫在茧内滞育越夏越冬,越冬幼虫于次年4月中旬开始化蛹,4月下旬至5月上旬为化蛹盛期,5月中旬成虫开始羽化,5月下旬幼虫开始孵化,6月下旬幼虫开始老熟做茧,7月上旬至次年4月中旬为幼虫滞育期。幼虫取食危害期仅1个月左右,幼虫在茧中滞育时间长达280d以上。     

九寨沟自然保护区4种水深梯度下芦苇分株地上生物量的分配与生长

芦苇是世界自然遗产--九寨沟自然保护区的一种重要的湿地植物.本文对该地区芦苇海4个不同水深梯度下芦苇的无性系地上分株的生物量分配、生长与繁殖策略进行了比较研究.结果表明,在47 cm (水在土层表面上)水深环境中,芦苇单株的平均生物量(4.2 g)最大.在-15 cm (水在土层表面下15 cm)的生境中,叶生物量百分比(叶生物量占单株总生物量的百分比, 46.1%)最大.芦苇地上分株高度、地上分株有分枝的单株百分比(茎上有分枝的分株占样地总分株的百分数)也存在明显的差别.茎的生物量分配百分比和生长速率随水深的增加而增加.在滩地生境中,开花率、花序的生物量百分比明显大于水较深的生境.分株株高与分株生物量、茎生物量与叶生物量都表现出较明显的幂指数异速生长规律.在-15 cm水深的生境中,叶生物量的生长快于茎的增长;在其他水深梯度的生境中,则是茎生物量的增加快于叶生物量的增加.     

转Bt-cry1Ac棉花花粉对意大利蜜蜂生长发育的影响

研究了取食转Bt-cry1Ac棉花花粉对意大利蜜蜂的影响,主要包括意大利蜜蜂的生长发育、体内酶活性的变化.结果发现,取食转Bt-cry1Ac基因棉花花粉的意大利蜜蜂与取食非转基因亲本棉花花粉的蜜蜂(CK)相比,4、5、6日龄幼虫体重差异不显著,幼虫及蛹的历期也没有明显差异.取食转Bt-cry1Ac基因棉花花粉的意大利蜜蜂6日龄幼虫体内的谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶、总蛋白酶活力与CK相比,没有显著差异.取食转Bt-cry1Ac基因棉花花粉的意大利蜜蜂幼虫体内的α-乙酸萘酯酶、乙酰胆碱酯酶活力极显著高于CK,强碱性、弱碱性类胰蛋白酶活力极显著低于CK,类胰凝乳蛋白酶活力显著低于CK.另外,采用酶联免疫(ELISA)方法在取食转Bt-cry1Ac基因棉花花粉的蜜蜂6日龄幼虫体内能够检测到Bt杀虫蛋白.表4参12     

海榄雌瘤斑螟的生物学特性及Bt对其幼虫的毒力和防效

海榄雌瘤斑螟(Acrobasis sp.)是危害马鞭草科澳洲海榄雌(Avicennia marina var.austrasica)的主要害虫.在深圳红树林一年发生6~7代,每个世代25~32d,其中幼虫历期13~16d,蛹5~6d,成虫7~10d,卵3~5d.幼虫剥食海榄雌的叶肉,8月低龄幼虫蛀食嫩芽及种子,10月低龄幼虫开始在嫩芽内越冬,翌年3月上中旬,越冬幼虫开始活动.每年4月下旬至6月中旬爆发的第2代和第3代密度较大,造成海榄雌大面积危害.在室内,用Bt感染2龄海榄雌瘤斑螟,致死浓度(C)-死亡几率值(Y)测定的回归线为Y=4.66 1.78C,80%的致死浓度LC80为4.60IU/mL;致死时间(T)-死亡几率值(Y)测定的回归线为Y=4.305T-1.51,80%的致死时间LT80为50.86h.在林间,用8~10IU/mL的Bt稀释液喷雾对海榄雌瘤斑螟进行防治实验,平均防效为90.61%.图3表5参8     

草莓蚜虫防治用药对蜜蜂的急性毒性与风险评价

为明确草莓蚜虫防治用药对蜜蜂的影响,按照《化学农药环境安全评价试验准则》和《化学品测试方法》要求测定了20%啶虫脒SP、10%氟啶虫酰胺WG和22%氟啶虫胺腈SC对意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera L.)的急性毒性,并采用危害商值(HQ)法进行了风险评价。急性毒性结果显示:20%啶虫脒SP、10%氟啶虫酰胺WG和22%氟啶虫胺腈SC对蜜蜂的急性经口毒性试验结果(48 h-LD50值)分别为4.47μg a.i.·蜂~(-1)、11.2μg a.i.·蜂~(-1)和0.0601μg a.i.·蜂~(-1),对蜜蜂的急性接触毒性试验结果(48 hLD50值)分别为11.0μg a.i.·蜂~(-1)、13.9μg a.i.·蜂~(-1)和0.643μg a.i.·蜂~(-1)。按《化学农药环境安全评价试验准则》中毒性等级划分标准,20%啶虫脒SP、10%氟啶虫酰胺WG和22%氟啶虫胺腈SC对蜜蜂的毒性等级分别为中毒、低毒和高毒。风险评价结果表明,22%氟啶虫胺腈SC对蜜蜂存在中等风险(HQ值为1 622),20%啶虫脒SP和10%氟啶虫酰胺WG对蜜蜂的风险为低风险,其HQ值分别为40.3和6.70。因此,草莓生产中可优先选用10%氟啶虫酰胺WG来防治蚜虫,20%啶虫脒SP次之。而使用22%氟啶虫胺腈SC时,应注意采取措施降低其对蜜蜂的毒性风险,以免造成危害。     

温度和pH值对重组杆状病毒(AcMNPV-BmKIT-Chi)的毒力影响

研究了温度、酸碱度对重组杆状病毒(AcMNPV-BmKIT-Chi)毒力的影响.结果显示,多角体病毒在温度4~50℃,pH6.0~8.0范围内可以保持较高的毒力稳定性;不同虫龄棉铃虫幼虫对重组病毒的毒力敏感性差异显著,低虫龄对重组核型多角体病毒更为敏感;病毒对幼虫存在亚致死作用,饲毒组与对照组幼虫体重差异显著.图3表3参13     

氟虫腈对意大利蜜蜂工蜂幼虫及幼龄工蜂的亚致死效应

蜜蜂是重要的授粉昆虫,亦是重要的环境污染指示生物.氟虫腈对蜜蜂剧毒,Pesticide Properties Data Base (PPDB)数据库中登记的其对蜜蜂的急性经口及接触半数致死剂量(LD50)分别为0.00417 μg·蜂-1和0.00597 μg·蜂-1,正因为对非靶标生物的毒性较高,其使用也受到了限制,目前仅用于卫生害虫防治和一些旱田作物的土壤处理等.尽管有关氟虫腈对蜜蜂的危害已有一些报道,但有关其对蜜蜂幼虫和幼龄工蜂的亚致死作用研究仍较为缺乏,鉴于此,本文以意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera L.)的工蜂幼虫和新出房工蜂(＜24 h)为研究对象,采用人工饲喂重复染毒法,分别测定了10-3、10-2、0.1、1和10 μg·L-1的氟虫腈对工蜂幼虫的21d慢性毒性和1、5和10 μg·L-1的氟虫腈对新出房工蜂7d和14d的慢性毒性.结果 表明,与对照相比,10-3～ 10 μg·L-1范围内的氟虫腈可以使幼虫化蛹率显著降低20.83％ ～ 47.91％ (P＜0.05),羽化率显著降低25.00％ ～ 43.72％(P＜0.05);对于幼龄工蜂,1μg·L-1和5 μg·L-1氟虫腈暴露7d和14d时蜜蜂死亡率均＜10％;10 μg ·L-1氟虫腈暴露7d时,死亡率＜20％,当暴露时间延长至14 d时,成蜂死亡率高达(65.0± 17.7)％ (P＜0.0001),显著高于对照组,这说明氟虫腈对蜜蜂具有一定的时间累积毒性(time reinforced toxicity,TRT).此外,通过对蜜蜂幼虫和工蜂体内抗氧化酶(超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT))、解毒酶谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)酶活力及谷胱甘肽(GSH)、脂质过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)含量的测定结果表明,氟虫腈暴露可显著提高幼虫体内CAT的酶活力和MDA含量(P＜0.05),但GST的酶活力显著降低(P＜0.01);而成蜂在经过处理后,体内CAT和GST的酶活力、GSH的含量均会显著降低(P＜0.05),这说明亚致死剂量的氟虫腈可干扰蜜蜂机体稳态,引发蜜蜂幼虫和成蜂显著的氧化损伤,从而危害蜜蜂健康.氟虫腈具有较强的内吸特性和环境稳定性,作物种子处理或卫生施用依然可能导致其在花粉、土壤和水体中的痕量级残留,本研究中发现氟虫腈对蜜蜂幼虫和成蜂生存及各生理指标的最低可观察效应浓度(LOEC)可低至10-5 μg·L-1和10 μg·L-1,相关结果可以补充低残留浓度下氟虫腈蜜蜂风险评价数据的不足,为未来氟虫腈的安全用药指导提供参考.     

油松毛虫感染白僵菌后体内蛋白质、酯酶和多酚氧化酶的变化

采用分光光度法测定了油松毛虫(Dendrolimus tabulaeformisTsai et Liu)3~5龄幼虫被病原物白僵菌(Beau-veria bassiana)感染后,其体内蛋白质的含量和多酚氧化酶活性的变化;结果表明,被白僵菌感染后1~8d,虫体内蛋白质含量持续下降,而未感染的则变化不大;多酚氧化酶(PPO)的活性呈现出先升高后下降的趋势.利用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术,分析了染菌后1~7d幼虫体内酯酶同工酶的变化;结果显示,染菌后的3、4龄幼虫体内酯酶同工酶酶谱与对照相比,酶带数量变化较大,未染菌的为3条酶带,感染病菌后变为1条和2条.与其相比,5龄幼虫染菌后酯酶同工酶的酶带数量没有变化,只是酯酶的活性及含量比对照有明显减弱趋势.图2表5参16     

Feeding rates of the jellyfish Aurelia aurita on fish larvae

We quantified feeding rates of field caught Aurelia aurita feeding on yolk sac cod (Gadus morhua) larvae in a series of incubation experiments. A short-time (~1 h) functional response experiment with a wide range of prey concentrations (0.5–16 prey l⁻¹, initial concentration) revealed that ingestion rates increased linearly over this range, such that clearance rates were similar between the different prey concentrations. This suggests that A. aurita is capable of efficiently utilizing dense prey patches. This indication was further supported by a linear increase of prey captured by A. aurita during 2.5 h of feeding at extremely high prey concentration (>200 prey l⁻¹). Clearance rate in darkness scaled with jellyfish diameter to a power of ~1.7 for jellyfish 3.9–9.5 cm in diameter. The jellyfish did not alter their umbrella pulse frequency in response to presence of fish larvae. There were no significant differences between A. aurita feeding rates in light and darkness for yolk sac prey ages 0–7 days (at 7.5°C). Although prey vision and escape abilities of fish may develop rapidly during early larval ontogeny, these factors apparently have little impact on interactions with predators such as A. aurita during the yolk sac stage.     

Barnacle larvae actively select flow environments supporting post-settlement growth and survival

Many marine dispersive propagules select specific settlement sites based on a range of environmental cues. However, the link between larval choice and post-settlement growth and survival is still poorly understood. Here we show that cypris larvae of the barnacle Balanus improvisus actively reject surfaces exposed to local flow speeds exceeding 5-10 cm/s. Field experiments show that post-settlement growth and survival decline in freestream flows above 15 cm/s. Moreover, studies in flume flow at local speeds exceeding 10 cm/s reveal that early juveniles show reduced feeding rates caused by deformation of the cirral fan, reduced retention efficiency, and a decrease in time spent feeding. We conclude that cypris larvae actively reject flow environments that will be suboptimal for suspension feeding in the early post-settlement phase. Our study suggests that larval choice can be adaptively connected to a specific part of the life cycle, in this case the very sensitive time after metamorphosis.     

论害虫与绿色食品蔬菜生产

从昆虫与寄主植物的关系出发,分析了害虫对于绿色食品蔬菜生产的影响,并提出了在绿色食品蔬菜生产过程中防止害虫危害的策略.     

Feeding behaviour and prey size selection of gilthead seabream,Sparus aurata,larvae fed on inert and live food

Prey selection shortly after the onset of feeding by laboratory-reared gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata L., larvae was studied using larvae fed on two types of microcapsule (hard- and soft-walled) having diameters ranging from 25 to 300 m. Preferences between inert food and live prey (rotifers and Artemia sp. nauplii) were also studied. Seabream larvae were able to ingest inert food from first feeding. Larvae of all size classes ingested hard microcapsules with diameters in the range 25 to 250 m. However, larvae with a total length (TL) below 4 mm preferentially selected particles 25 to 50 m in diameter, larvae of TL 4 and 5 mm preferred particles 51 to 100 m in diameter, while larvae above 5 mm TL preferred particles 101 to 150 m in diameter. With soft microcapsules, larvae always preferred particles larger than in the previous case, and above 4.5 mm TL they preferentially selected particles 201 to 250 m in diameter. In addition, the gradual increase of preferred diameters with increasing TL was more pronounced when larvae were increasing TL was more pronounced when larvae were fed on soft particles. Mean values for prey width/mouth width ratios were approximately 0.24 and 0.30 when larvae were fed on hard-walled and soft-walled microcapsules, respectively, irrespective of the absolute value of larval length. When a mixed diet of live and inert food items was offered, live prey were always preferentially selected, even if the prey width/mouth width ratio was apparently not favourable. Only a physical constraint such as excessive prey width could counter this preference for living prey vs inert microcapsules. These results contribute to our knowledge in larval feeding behaviour, especially in the presence of inert food, and represent a fundamental step in developing prepared food for marine fish larvae.     

Growth and differentiation during delayed metamorphosis of feeding gastropod larvae: signatures of ancestry and innovation

Extent of larval growth among marine invertebrates has potentially profound implications for performance by benthic recruits because body size influences many biological processes. Among gastropods, feeding larvae often attain larger size at metamorphic competence than non-feeding larvae of basal gastropod clades. Delay of metamorphosis can further influence size at recruitment if larvae continue to grow during the delay. Some caenogastopod larvae grow during delayed metamorphosis, but opisthobranch larvae do not. Data on larval growth of neritimorph gastropods are needed to help determine which of these growth patterns for planktotrophic gastropod larvae is more derived. We cultured planktotrophic larvae from all three major gastropod clades with feeding larvae through delays of metamorphosis of 3–10 weeks. Larvae of the caenogastropod Euspira lewisii and the euthyneurans Haminoea vesicula (Opisthobranchia) and Siphonaria denticulata (Pulmonata) conformed to previously described growth patterns for their respective major clades. Furthermore, the caenogastropod continued to lengthen the prototroch (ciliary band for swimming and feeding) and to differentiate prospective post-metamorphic structures (gill filaments and radular teeth) during delayed metamorphosis. Larvae of the neritimorph Nerita atramentosa arrested shell growth during delayed metamorphosis but the radula continued to elongate, a pattern most similar to that of non-feeding larvae of Haliotis, a vetigastropod genus. Character mapping on a phylogenetic hypothesis suggests that large larval size and capacity for continued growth during delayed metamorphosis, as exhibited by some caenogastropods, is a derived innovation among feeding gastropod larvae. This novelty may have facilitated post-metamorphic evolution of predatory feeding using a long proboscis.     

Effects of limiting access to prey on development of first zoeal stage of the brachyuran crabs Cancer magister and Hemigrapsus oregonensis

We tested the influence of limiting access to prey on larval development of the crabs Cancer magister and Hemigrapsus oregonensis by raising their Stage 1 larvae in the laboratory on different prey densities and with various periods of access to prey. Experiments were conducted in 1995 and 1996 at the Shannon Point Marine Center in Anacortes, Washington, USA. Our results show that crab larvae do not require continuous access to prey for optimal development nor do they appear to require light for prey capture. Survival and duration of Stage 1 C. magister fed continuously on only one-fourth the amount of the control density of prey and those fed at the control density for only 6 h per day were the same as for larvae fed continuously at the control density (20 ml⁻¹). Larvae with cyclic access to prey at the control density for 24 h and then starved for 72 h showed significantly lower survival and longer instar duration to Stage 2. Experiments on Stage 1 H. oregonensis which investigated a combination of prey density, period of access to prey and light/dark conditions during feeding revealed that survival decreased with decreasing prey density or with decreasing feeding period, but no differences were observed during periods of limited prey availability as a function of light or dark conditions. Stage duration was not affected by reduced prey density nor by the light/dark condition at the time of feeding, but it was prolonged when the period of access to prey was limited. The period of access to prey did not affect the weight of Day 1 Stage 2 larvae. Larvae fed high densities of prey for 4 h followed by 20 h of reduced-density diet exhibited the same survival and stage duration as controls that were continuously fed high-density prey. Our results define sub-optimal diets that can be used experimentally to determine the nutritional contributions made by naturally-occurring prey organisms during larval development in the two species. In nature, larvae may satisfy nutritional requirements through periodic encounters with dense prey patches during vertical migrations by day or night. Received: 12 August 1997 / Accepted: 5 February 1998     

Binary mixtures of feeding deterrents mitigate the decrease in feeding deterrent response to antifeedants following prolonged exposure in the cabbage looper, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoplusia ni</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Summary. The effect of rearing larvae of Trichoplusia ni on individual feeding deterrents or on binary mixtures of deterrents on their subsequent gustatory sensitivity was measured in paired choice leaf disc bioassays. Our working hypothesis was that mixtures of antifeedants (pure allelochemicals) would mitigate decreased feeding deterrent response following prolonged exposure in this generalist herbivore. Neonate larvae were reared on cabbage leaves treated with individual feeding deterrents (digitoxin, thymol, toosendanin or xanthotoxin), or with binary mixtures of these until the third instar. Feeding deterrent responses to each antifeedant or mixture was then determined in a leaf disc choice bioassay. All of the mixtures produced additive deterrence when presented to naïve larvae. Larvae reared on individual antifeedants showed a significantly decreased feeding deterrent response (except to digitoxin), whereas larvae reared on binary mixtures of antifeedants did not show a decreased feeding deterrent response to any of them. Such mixtures were synergistic in terms of their feeding deterrence to experienced larvae. Our experiment supports the hypothesis (Jermy 1986) that mixtures of deterrents can prevent decreased feeding deterrent response following prolonged exposure, and provides one explanation for the multiplicity of chemical defenses found in many plants.     

On the feeding and behaviour of the larva of Branchiostoma lanceolatum

Collections of Branchiostoma lanceolatum (Pallas) made in mid-May and mid-July at Helgoland before and after spawning have established that the larvae leave the amphioxus ground about June and therefore presumably become planktonic. Metamorphosing larvae and young adults can be collected on the ground in late August and early September and are either the same larvae returning, or others from a neighbouring ground within the same circulating current system. An examination of the gut contents of 67 larvae collected from the plankton at Helgoland in August showed that 30% of the animals had ingested calanoid copepods or other organic material of a size similar to that of the larval mouth. A few larvae had also taken small particles evidently by a ciliary mechanism. In 50% of the larvae the gut was empty. It has been found that, in addition to a muscular mouth and gill bars richly supplied with nerves, both the gut wall and the body wall are muscular and capable of passing, by peristalsis, large food masses that distend the body. The visceral muscles of the larva resemble the coelomyarian fibres of the Nematoda. The larva appears, therefore, to be both microphagous and macrophagous. Evidence from the swimming behaviour and from reports of the vertical distribution of larvae in the sea is discussed. It is suggested that the larvae normally swim upward with the mouth and gills closed and then sink passively in the horizontal position with the pharynx expanded and the open mouth directed downward. In the event of large organism such as a copepod or a mass of organic material coming into contact with the adhesive lower left surface of the larva, it could be captured by the mobile lower lip and engulfed. The straightening of the larval tail, the great increase in the number of eyecups and the growth of the metapleura at metamorphosis are suggested as factors leading to the settlement of the young adult. Attention is drawn to the possible significance of the structure of the larva in interpreting the relationships of the cephalochordates.     

Settlement patterns and presettlement behavior of the naked goby,Gobiosoma bosci,a temperate oyster reef fish

Dispersion, distribution, development and feeding incidence of larvae of the naked goby,Gobiosoma bosci (Lacepéde), were examined for linkages between larval behavior while near the reef surface and later patterns of settlement and recruitment. Field sampling and experiments were conducted during the summers of 1988 and 1989 in the Flag Pond oyster reef along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay near Camp Conoy, Maryland, USA. Results indicated that prior to settlement most demersal larvae aggregate in shoals and exhibit distinct microhabitat preferences on the reef. In a field experiment, larvae settled both during the day and at night. Dispersion at settlement was aggregated, suggesting that demersal shoaling influences settlement patterns in this species. The distribution of demersal larvae also indicated that larval swimming behavior is sufficiently strong to permit active control of position on reefs. Large demersal larvae settled rapidly when brought to the laboratory, but small larvae in demersal shoals appeared to require additional growth and morphological development prior to settlement. Development of the pelvic fins, used by juveniles and adults for perching on the substrate, may be a good indicator of competence to settle in this species. The adaptive significance of demersal shoaling by small larvae of the naked goby, and the fate of these larvae, remains perplexing because the low feeding rates found for larvae shoaling near the reef surface should slow or prevent the growth and development required prior to settlement. Observations made by other authors indicate that demersal shoaling and the use of water directly overlying reefs may be common behaviors of temperate and tropical reef fishes.     

Reduced planktotrophy in larvae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clypeaster</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">rosaceus</Emphasis> (Echinodermata,Echiniodea)

Phylogenetic analyses have demonstrated that nonfeeding larvae have evolved from feeding larvae many times among marine invertebrates. In light of this observation, it is surprising that an intermediate strategy, a larva that can feed but is provisioned with enough energy to metamorphose without acquiring exogenous food (i.e., facultative planktotrophy), is rare. A hypothesis for the lack of facultative planktotrophic species among marine invertebrates is that the transition from feeding to nonfeeding is rapid due to this intermediate stage being evolutionarily unstable. Evidence that would support this hypothesis is if species with facultative planktotrophy have reduced food assimilation when compared with obligate planktotrophs. We studied a species with facultative planktotrophic larvae, Clypeaster rosaceus, that is very near the boundary between facultative and obligatory planktotrophy, to answer two questions: (1) does feeding during the larval stage result in energy gains in larval or juvenile stages and (2) if not, are larvae capable of assimilating exogenous food at all. Our measurements of energetics in larval and juvenile stages show that C. rosaceus larvae accumulate very little if any energy when fed, but stable isotope data indicate that larvae are able to assimilate some food. Our results are consistent with similar studies on facultative planktotrophic larvae suggesting poor food assimilation and rapid loss of larval feeding after a population evolves the ability to reach metamorphosis without feeding (lecithotrophy).