Experimental test of an eco-evolutionary dynamic feedback loop between evolution and population density in the green peach aphid.

An eco-evolutionary feedback loop is defined as the reciprocal impacts of ecology on evolutionary dynamics and evolution on ecological dynamics on contemporary timescales. We experimentally tested for an eco-evolutionary feedback loop in the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, by manipulating initial densities and evolution. We found strong evidence that initial aphid density alters the rate and direction of evolution, as measured by changes in genotype frequencies through time. We also found that evolution of aphids within only 16 days, or approximately three generations, alters the rate of population growth and predicts density compared to nonevolving controls. The impact of evolution on population dynamics also depended on density. In one evolution treatment, evolution accelerated population growth by up to 10.3% at high initial density or reduced it by up to 6.4% at low initial density. The impact of evolution on population growth was as strong as or stronger than that caused by a threefold change in intraspecific density. We found that, taken together, ecological condition, here intraspecific density, alters evolutionary dynamics, which in turn alter concurrent population growth rate (ecological dynamics) in an eco-evolutionary feedback loop. Our results suggest that ignoring evolution in studies predicting population dynamics might lead us to over- or underestimate population density and that we cannot predict the evolutionary outcome within aphid populations without considering population size.

Learned and naïve natural enemy responses and the interpretation of volatile organic compounds as cues or signals.

In response to arthropod herbivory, plants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are attractive to natural enemies. Consequently, VOCs have been interpreted as co-evolved plant-natural enemy signals. This review argues that, while these data are necessary, they are not sufficient to demonstrate a VOC plant-natural enemy signaling function. We propose that evidence that (1) plant fitness is increased as a consequence of natural enemy recruitment, and either (2A) natural enemies preferentially learn prey-induced VOCs or (2B) natural enemies respond innately to the VOCs of the prey-host plant complex, is also required. Whereas there are too few studies to rigorously test hypotheses 1 and 2A, numerous studies are available to test hypothesis 2B. Of 293 tests of natural enemy responses to VOCs, we identified only 74 that were unambiguous tests of naïve natural enemies; in the remainder of the tests either natural enemies were experienced with their host in the presence of VOCs, or experience could not be ruled out. Of those 74 tests with naïve natural enemies, attraction was observed in 41 and not in 33. This review demonstrates that empirical support for the hypothesized VOC plant-natural enemy signaling function is not universal and presents alternative hypotheses for VOC production.

Acidic fog-induced changes in host-plant suitability : Interactions ofTrichoplusia ni andPhaseolus lunatus.

Phaseolus lunatus L. (Henderson Bush lima beans) were exposed to 2 hr acidic fogs with 2.5∶1.0 (v/v) nitrogen-sulfur ratio typical of the west coast of the United States. Fogs with pH values of 2.0 (P < 0.01,t tests), 2.5 (P < 0.05), or 3.0 (P < 0.01) increased percent total nitrogen (dry weight) of foliage as compared to plants subjected to control fogs with a pH of 6.3-6.5. Fresh weight concentrations of soluble protein and certain free amino acid concentrations were increased by plant exposure to acidic fogs with a pH of 2.5 (t tests,P < 0.05). Concentrations of free amino acids considered essential for insect growth, as well as nonessential and total free amino acids were not significantly affected by any treatment (P > 0.05,t test). Water content (%) of foliage was not changed significantly (P > 0.05,t test) by exposure to any of the fogs.Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae ate significantly more foliage and gained significantly more weight on plants treated with 3.0 pH fogs (P < 0.01,t test). Several potential explanations are offered for the lack of significant weight gain by larvae on plants in which soluble protein levels, free amino acid concentrations, or percent total nitrogen contents were enhanced by acidic fogs with a pH of 2.5 and 2.0. No larval feeding preference was detected for foliage exposed to acidic versus control fogs, and no significant differences were detected in percent survival ofT. ni eggs exposed to acidic or control fogs. Some implications of acidic fogs for population dynamics ofT. ni are discussed.

Measuring plant protein with the Bradford assay : 1. Evaluation and standard method.

The suitability of the Bradford protein assay for measuring plant protein was evaluated and a standard method developed. The assay involves extraction of dried, fresh, or frozen plant material in 0.1 NaOH for 30 min. Replicate 100-µl aliquots of centrifuged supernatant are assayed with 5 ml Bio-Rad Bradford dye reagent (Coomassie brilliant blue G-250) diluted 1:4 and containing 3 mg/ml soluble polyvinylpyrollidone. Absorbance at 595 nm is recorded after 15 min against an NaOH blank. Samples are calibrated against a ribulose 1,5-diphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase standard in NaOH. Procedures for plant preparation, extraction stability, the effects of phenol removal and quinone formation, and assay recovery are evaluated. Assay absorbance stability and techniques for increasing absorbance stability are reported. Changes in protein quality are briefly discussed.

Phthalide-based host-plant resistance toSpodoptera exigua andTrichoplusia ni inApium graveolens.

A chemical basis for the difference in suitability between two celeriac (Apium graveolens var.rapaceum) cultivars for the survival and growth ofSpodoptera exigua (Hübner) andTrichoplusia ni (Hübner) was identified as sedanenolide (3-n-butyl-4,5-dihydro-isobenzofuranone). Sedanenolide was isolated using a bioassay-driven extraction and purification procedure and was identified using several spectrometric methods. Foliar concentrations of sedanenolide were negatively correlated with larval performance and were significantly higher in the cultivar less suitable for larval survival and growth. Sedanenolide andBacillus thuringiensis Berliner acted additively in reducing larval growth when combined in artificial diets, a result that is consistent with previous studies in which the combined effect of host plant cultivar andB. thuringiensis on larval survival and growth were additive.

Ozone-induced changes in host-plant suitability: Interactions ofKeiferia lycopersicella andLycopersicon esculentum.

Tomato pinworms,Keiferia lycopersicella (Walsingham), survived better and developed faster on tomato plants,Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., damaged by ozone than on plants not subjected to ozone fumigation. Other measures of fitness, including survival during pupation, sex ratio of adults, female longevity, and fecundity, were not affected. Analyses of ozonated foliage at zero, two, and seven days following fumigation demonstrated a transient but significant increase (18-24%) in soluble protein concentration. Although the concentration of the total free amino acids in ozonated foliage did not increase significantly, significant changes were observed in at least 10 specific amino acids, some of which are critical for either insect development or the production of plant defensive chemicals. A reduction in total nitrogen in ozonated foliage at seven days postfumigation indicated that nitrogen was being translocated to other portions of the plant. The implications of increases in assimilable forms of nitrogen in ozonated foliage, which lead to improved host-plant suitability for insect herbivores, are discussed both in relation to some current ecological theories and in regard to pest-management strategies.