Fruit-feeding in European cold season noctuid moths increases fecundity, but not longevity

Abstract

Feeding on rotting fruits, rather than nectar, is linked to high adult life-expectancy in certain butterflies, notably tropical Nymphalidae. We experimentally tested whether cold-season central European noctuid moths may also derive longevity and fecundity benefits from feeding on fruits. Many cold-season noctuid moths avidly feed on such resources. We expected fitness benefits to be especially pronounced in moths which overwinter as adults, in relation to their unusually long and thus nutrient-demanding imaginal life (6–9 months). Field-caught female individuals representing four genera (Allophyes Tams, 1942; Agrochola Hübner, 1821; Conistra Hübner, 1821; Eupsilia Hübner, 1821) were offered sucrose solution, sucrose solution enriched with vitamins, or moisturized banana slices plus sucrose solution, respectively, under greenhouse conditions. These moths represented two life-cycle types (autumn species vs. adult hibernators). Life span differed between moth genera, but we did not observe any enhancement of life span through fruit-feeding. Rather, in some cases moths kept with access to banana slices experienced a minor reduction in life span, compared to moths fed sucrose solution only. We observed no benefits in terms of enhanced fecundity through fruit-feeding in autumn species. Among adult hibernators, in contrast, potential fecundity increased by over 50% in banana-fed females, when observed over their full lifetime. Yet, if kept in the lab only after completing their hibernation in the wild, fitness benefits no longer accrued to moths from supplementing their diet with fruits. We conclude that noctuids that hibernate as adults are indeed income breeders which potentially increase their fecundity by feeding on fruits.