Bin Zhang, Hongzhi Zhang, Yanzhuo Liu, Haolin Wei, Chengke Han, Nadir Erbilgin
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Understanding stage-specific nutritional requirements is essential for determining insect feeding strategies and developing targeted pest management approaches. We examined the feeding preferences, developmental duration, survival rates, and digestive efficiency of the mountain pine beetle across different life stages under different nutritional conditions. We tested three artificial diets with varying protein-to-carbohydrate ratios, including high-protein-low-carbohydrate (HP-LC), medium-protein-medium-carbohydrate (MP-MC), and low-protein-high-carbohydrate (LP-HC). The results showed stage-specific differences in feeding preference among beetle larvae. Early-instar larvae preferred HP-LC and MP-MC diets, whereas late-instar larvae preferred LP-HC diets. Adults of both sexes strongly favoured LP-HC diets. Larvae on MP-MC diets exhibited the fastest development and highest digestive efficiency, indicating optimal protein-carbohydrate balance for growth. Survival was highest on the HP-LC and MP-MC diets but was lower on the LP-HC diets, especially in early instars. Poor digestive efficiency in LP-HC diets suggests that excessive carbohydrates hinder nutrient assimilation. These findings show that mountain pine beetle developmental stages have distinct nutritional needs, with early instar larvae requiring higher protein for survival and development. The observed dietary shifts may be linked to seasonal changes in the nutrient composition of host trees and fungal symbionts of the mountain pine beetles. These stage-specific nutritional preferences further suggest opportunities to disrupt beetle growth through targeted, nutrition-based pest management strategies.
期刊介绍：
Journal of Chemical Ecology is devoted to promoting an ecological understanding of the origin, function, and significance of natural chemicals that mediate interactions within and between organisms. Such relationships, often adaptively important, comprise the oldest of communication systems in terrestrial and aquatic environments. With recent advances in methodology for elucidating structures of the chemical compounds involved, a strong interdisciplinary association has developed between chemists and biologists which should accelerate understanding of these interactions in nature.
Scientific contributions, including review articles, are welcome from either members or nonmembers of the International Society of Chemical Ecology. Manuscripts must be in English and may include original research in biological and/or chemical aspects of chemical ecology. They may include substantive observations of interactions in nature, the elucidation of the chemical compounds involved, the mechanisms of their production and reception, and the translation of such basic information into survey and control protocols. Sufficient biological and chemical detail should be given to substantiate conclusions and to permit results to be evaluated and reproduced.
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