Diet-induced chemical phytomimesis by twig-like caterpillars
of Biston robustum Butler (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) |
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Authors: | T Akino K-i Nakamura S Wakamura |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Insect Behavior, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Ohwashi 1-2, Tsukuba, 305-8634, Japan;(2) Tokyo Metropolitan Forestry Experiment Station, Hirai 2753-1, Hinode, Tokyo, 190-0182, Japan;(3) Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Environment Office, Nishiki-cho 4-6-3, Tachikawa, 190-0022 Tokyo, Japan |
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Abstract: | Summary. Polyphagous caterpillars of the giant geometer
Biston robustum resemble the twigs of their respective food
sources in color and shape. Common predatory ants, including
Lasius and
Formica, were often observed to freely prowl directly on caterpillars bodies, even after antennal contact.
This suggests that the cuticular chemicals of the caterpillars
resemble those of the twigs of the foodplants, so we analyzed
both by GC and GC-MS. The chemical compositions
differed among caterpillars fed on a cherry, Prunus yedoensis,
a chinquapin Castanopsis cuspidata, and a camellia Camellia japonica. The cuticular chemicals of the caterpillars
resembled those of their corresponding food sources.
When the caterpillar diets were switched from the cherry to
camellia or chinquapin at the 4th instars, the caterpillars
cuticular chemicals changed after molting to resemble those
of their respective foods. Caterpillars also changed their
cuticular chemicals when they perched on cherry twigs and
fed on camellia or chinquapin leaves, but not when they
perched on camellia or chinquapin twigs and fed on cherry
leaves. The chemical similarities between the caterpillars
and the twigs were due to the digestion of host leaves, which
indicates that this is a diet-induced adaptation. |
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Keywords: | Biston robustum chemical phytomimesis Prunus yedoensis Castanopsis cuspidata Camellia japonica |
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