A1 Journal article (refereed)
Complex plant quality—microbiota–population interactions modulate the response of a specialist herbivore to the defence of its host plant (2022)


Minard, G., Kahilainen, A., Biere, A., Pakkanen, H., Mappes, J., & Saastamoinen, M. (2022). Complex plant quality—microbiota–population interactions modulate the response of a specialist herbivore to the defence of its host plant. Functional Ecology, 36(11), 2873-2888. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14177


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsMinard, Guillaume; Kahilainen, Aapo; Biere, Arjen; Pakkanen, Hannu; Mappes, Johanna; Saastamoinen, Marjo

Journal or seriesFunctional Ecology

ISSN0269-8463

eISSN1365-2435

Publication year2022

Publication date07/09/2022

Volume36

Issue number11

Pages range2873-2888

PublisherWiley

Publication countryUnited Kingdom

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14177

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessPartially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/83252


Abstract

1. Many specialist herbivores have evolved strategies to cope with plant defenses, with gut microbiota potentially participating to such adaptations.

2. In this study we assessed whether the history of plant use (population origin) and microbiota may interact with plant defense adaptation.

3. We tested whether microbiota enhance the performance of Melitaea cinxia larvae on their host plant, Plantago lanceolata and increase their ability to cope the defensive compounds, iridoid glycosides (IGs).

3. The gut microbiota was significantly affected by both larval population origin and host plant IG level. Contrary to our prediction, impoverishing the microbiota with antibiotic treatment did not reduce larval performance.

5. As expected for this specialized insect herbivore, sequestration of one of IGs was higher in larvae fed with plants producing higher concentration of IGs. These larvae also showed metabolic signature of intoxication (i.e. decrease in Lysine levels). However, intoxication on highly defended plants was only observed when larvae with history of poorly defended plants were simultaneously treated with antibiotics.

6. Our results suggest that both adaptation and microbiota contribute to the metabolic response of herbivores to plant defense though complex interactions.


KeywordsherbivoresLepidopteralarvaegastrointestinal microbiotaplantshost plantsdefence mechanisms (biological phenomena)glycosides

Free keywordsherbivore; plant defense; microbiota; Lepidoptera; trophic interactions


Contributing organizations


Related projects


Ministry reportingYes

VIRTA submission year2022

JUFO rating2


Last updated on 2024-14-06 at 23:07