Plastic expansion of food type in generalist insect herbivores and its fitness and role in invasion process

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26440243
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Ecology/Environment
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Saeki Yoriko 九州大学, 総合研究博物館, 専門研究員 (40646858)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 捕食行動 / 可塑性 / 広食性昆虫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The adaptation and plasticity of individuals feeding on different plant organs and their role in invasion process were examined using the Japanese beetles, which is the Japanese native species and has invaded the United States as an alien species.
We examined the fitness of individuals feeding on different plant organs of both populations, by examining the flight characteristics as an indicator. As a result, feeding on fruits increased flight distances, but decreased female egg loads. Feeding on fruits contributes to the expansion of the distribution of the beetles through extension of flight distances, but the reduction of body mass and egg load are suggested as costs. The Japanese beetles tended to feed on fruits under all circumstances. There was no specific tendency in the genetic diversity of the Japanese and American populations, nor significant differences in glycogen levels between individuals feeding on fruits and leaves.

Free Research Field

生態