A subtribo Lychnophorinae ocorre na região do Cerrado do Brasil e contém cerca de 120 espécies. Recentemente, a filogenia da subtribo Lychnophorinae, baseada em sequências de DNA e dados morfológicos foi capaz de fornecer novas informações sobre a subtribo e seus gêneros. Além disso, o Cerrado brasileiro possivelmente abriga uma parcela considerável da entomofauna neotropical. Os objetivos gerais deste projeto de pesquisa são obter perfis metabólicos de plantas da subtribo Lychnophorinae e utilizá-los como ferramenta quimiotaxonômica para auxiliar na resolução da classificação taxonômica dessa subtribo e ainda, obter perfis metabólicos de insetos que se alimentem dessas plantas, visando a identificação de possíveis interações inseto-planta. Foram analisadas 78 espécies de plantas por GC-MS e UHPLC-UV(DAD)-MS(ESI-Orbitrap) nos modos positivo e negativo de ionização. As coletas de insetos foram feitas em intervalos trimestrais e, em seguida, esses insetos foram analisados utilizando a mesma metodologia analítica das plantas. As \"impressões digitais\" metabólicas das plantas e dos insetos foram precessadas no MetAlignTM e no MSClust, e as matrizes geradas foram submetidas a análises multivariadas no SIMCA. As plantas foram submetidas a análise de componentes principais (PCA), análise de cluster hierárquico (HCA) e análise discriminante ortogonal por mínimos quadrados parciais (OPLS-DA), entretanto os insetos, juntamente com suas plantas hospedeiras, foram analisados por PCA com o intuito de determinar a correlação entre seus metabólitos secundários. Os resultados das análises metabolômicas apresentaram proximidade com a filogenia principalmente para os dois maiors gêneros, Eremanthus e Lychnophora, analisados separadamente. Portanto, os resultados sugerem que os dados gerados a partir das análises metabolômicas podem ser utilizados em estudos quimiotaxonômicos da subtribo Lychnophorinae, sobretudo como dados primários para a reconstrução filogenética de gêneros. No que diz respeito às análises de possíveis interações inseto-planta, foi possível observar que alguns espécimens apresentaram correlação significativa com as plantas hospedeiras, evidenciando que a abordagem metabolômica pode ser utilizada como ferramenta na investigação de interações inseto-planta. Nestas amostras, pôde-se observar a presença de triterpenos, flavonoides e lactonas sesquiterpênicas adquiridas nas plantas por meio da herbivoria. / The subtribe Lychnophorinae occurs in the Cerrado domain of the Brazilian Central Plateau. The relationships among its recognized genera, as well as the relationships between Lychnophorinae and other subtribes belonging in tribe Vernonieae have been recently investigated upon a phylogeny based on molecular and morphological data. In addition, a preliminar overview of insect diversity in Brazilian Cerrado suggests that it may harbor a considerable fraction of the neotropical. We here report the use of a comprehensive untargeted metabolomics approach, combining LC-MS and GC-MS data together, followed by multivariate analyses aiming to assess the congruence between metabolomics data and the phylogenetic hypothesis, as well as its potential as a chemotaxonomic tool. Also we report the use of untargeted metabolomics approach aiming to assess insect-plant interactions. We analyzed 78 species by GC-MS and LC-MS in both positive and negative ionization modes. The metabolic profiles obtained for these species were treated in MetAlign and in MSClust and the matrices generated were combined and used in SIMCA for hierarchical cluster analyses (HCA), principal component analyses (PCA) and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The insects were collected quarterly and analyzed by the same analytical methods as plants. Results show that metabolomics analyses are mostly congruent with the phylogenetic hypothesis especially at lower taxonomic levels. Therefore, our results suggest that data generated by metabolomics approaches provide valuable evidence for chemotaxonomical studies of Lychnophorinae subtribe, in particular as primary data for phylogenetic reconstruction of lineages as genera. Regarding to insects, it was possible to observe significative correlations between some insects and their host plants. In these samples, were able to identify triterpenes, flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones.

The cabbage seedpod weevil, Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an important pest of brassicaceous oilseed crops, especially canola (Brassica napus L. and Brassica rapa L.) in North America and Europe. Application of foliar insecticide is the only method currently employed to control C. obstrictus populations; because this approach is environmentally unsustainable, alternatives including host plant resistance have been explored. White mustard, Sinapis alba L., is resistant to C. obstrictus and was chosen as a potential source of resistance for B. napus oilseed. Interspecific crosses of S. alba x B. napus have produced several lines that are resistant to C. obstrictus feeding and oviposition and yield fewer, lighter-weight weevil larvae that take longer to develop. I investigated potential mechanisms of this resistance, including assessing differences in visual and olfactory cues among resistant and susceptible genotypes, and antixenosis and antibiosis. Determining effects of visual cues associated with host plant resistance required investigation of weevil vision. Deployment strategies for resistant germplasm were assessed to evaluate incorporation of susceptible refugia to promote long-term durability of resistance traits. Results reported in Chapter 2 indicate that the C. obstrictus visual system is apparently trichromatic and incorporates receptors with response maxima near 350, 450, and 550 nm. Modelling indicated that UV light alone reduced weevil responses but the interaction of yellow and UV light increased responses at a threshold reflectance level of UV. Results reported in Chapter 3 indicated that differences in yellow and UV reflectance among host plant flowers influence host selection in C. obstrictus. Results described in Chapter 4 determine differential attraction to the odours of S. alba and B. napus and among resistant and susceptible accessions. Inferences of the identities of glucosinolates found in varying amounts among susceptible and resistant genotypes suggested that 2-phenylethyl glucosinolate influenced attractiveness. Results described in Chapter 5 indicate differences in adult feeding and oviposition preferences among resistant and susceptible genotypes. Oocyte development, larval biomass and larval development time varied among weevils feeding on resistant and susceptible genotypes. Based on results of Chapter 4, 1-methoxy-3-indolylmethyl glucosinolate was implicated as contributing to antixenosis and antibiosis resistance. Results reported in Chapter 6 describe effects of mixed plots of resistant and susceptible genotypes on weevil spatial distribution and oviposition. These results are consistent with associational resistance and attributed to reduced apparency of susceptible plants in mixtures and antixenosis resistance associated with resistant germplasm. / Plant Science

No description available.

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Herbivory often influences the fitness and development of attacked trees, acting as an important factor of evolutionary pressure on a species ecology. However, there are few studies that show the effects of insect herbivores on Cerrado tree species. In this study I evaluated the impact of the leaf-cutter ant Atta laevigata on the vegetative and reproductive phenology, survival, growth, architecture and leaf nutrients of six tree species of a Cerrado vegetation. For three years, I visited individuals of Cardiopetalum callophylum, Coussarea hydrangeaefolia, Guapira graciliflora, Maprounea guianensis, Vochysia tucanorum and Xylopia aromatica, and determined the intensity of phenological events and leaf-cutter ant attacks. In addition, based on the recurrence frequency and intensity of ant-attacks (often 100% of leaf removal) previously observed, I created two artificial defoliation experimental treatments that simulated high and low Atta laevigata s attack frequency. I then evaluated how the different frequencies of high intensity attacks influenced the survival, growth, flower production, leaf nutrient content and architecture of the trees. The results showed that the defoliation by leaf-cutter ants reduced the photosynthetic area of attacked trees and reduced flower and fruit production of preferred species. However, it did not affect the synchrony and timing of leaf and flower/fruit production. Herbivory frequency had a negative effect on the plant tolerance to herbivory, survival, flower production and architecture in all six species. However, for some species, the leaf content of N and P were significantly higher in defoliated trees than in control trees. These results indicated that leaf-cutter ants can be considered chronic herbivores in some areas of the Cerrado, and that their continued activities can, in the long-term, affect the structure and dynamics of the vegetation. / A herbivoria influência o sucesso reprodutivo e o desenvolvimento das plantas, atuando como um importante agente de pressão evolutiva na ecologia de algumas espécies. Porém, há poucos estudos que mostram o efeito da atividade dos insetos herbívoros nas espécies arbóreas do Cerrado. Neste estudo apresento evidências dos efeitos da formigas cortadeira Atta laevigata, sobre a fenologia, sobrevivência, crescimento, arquitetura e nutrientes foliares de seis espécies arbóreas. Durante três anos acompanhei indivíduos de Cardiopetalum callophylum, Coussarea hydrangeaefolia, Guapira graciliflora, Maprounea guianensis, Vochysia tucanorum e Xylopia aromatica e determinei a intensidade de cada evento fenológico e dos ataques por saúvas. Baseado no tempo de recorrência e na intensidade dos ataques (normalmente 100% das folhas removidas) previamente observados, criei duas categorias de desfolha que simulando uma alta e uma baixa freqüência de ataque por Atta laevigata. Dessa maneira, examinei como diferentes freqüências de ataques de alta intensidade influenciaram a sobrevivência, o crescimento, a floração, o teor de nutrientes foliares e a arquitetura das plantas. Meus resultados mostraram que a desfolha por saúvas diminuiu a área fotossintética das plantas e reduziu a produção de frutos das espécies preferidas. Porém, a sincronia e a época de produção de folhas e frutos não foram afetadas. Os resultados indicam também que a freqüência de desfolhas tem um efeito negativo na capacidade de tolerância, na sobrevivência, na produção de flores, e na arquitetura das árvores. Entretanto, para algumas espécies, as concentrações foliares de N e P foram significativamente maiores em plantas cortadas do que em não-cortadas. Estes resultados indicam que as saúvas podem ser consideradas herbívoros crônicos em áreas do Cerrado e que a atividade contínua destas formigas pode, a longo prazo, afetar a estrutura e dinâmica da vegetação. / Mestre em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais

A subtribo Lychnophorinae ocorre na região do Cerrado do Brasil e contém cerca de 120 espécies. Recentemente, a filogenia da subtribo Lychnophorinae, baseada em sequências de DNA e dados morfológicos foi capaz de fornecer novas informações sobre a subtribo e seus gêneros. Além disso, o Cerrado brasileiro possivelmente abriga uma parcela considerável da entomofauna neotropical. Os objetivos gerais deste projeto de pesquisa são obter perfis metabólicos de plantas da subtribo Lychnophorinae e utilizá-los como ferramenta quimiotaxonômica para auxiliar na resolução da classificação taxonômica dessa subtribo e ainda, obter perfis metabólicos de insetos que se alimentem dessas plantas, visando a identificação de possíveis interações inseto-planta. Foram analisadas 78 espécies de plantas por GC-MS e UHPLC-UV(DAD)-MS(ESI-Orbitrap) nos modos positivo e negativo de ionização. As coletas de insetos foram feitas em intervalos trimestrais e, em seguida, esses insetos foram analisados utilizando a mesma metodologia analítica das plantas. As \"impressões digitais\" metabólicas das plantas e dos insetos foram precessadas no MetAlignTM e no MSClust, e as matrizes geradas foram submetidas a análises multivariadas no SIMCA. As plantas foram submetidas a análise de componentes principais (PCA), análise de cluster hierárquico (HCA) e análise discriminante ortogonal por mínimos quadrados parciais (OPLS-DA), entretanto os insetos, juntamente com suas plantas hospedeiras, foram analisados por PCA com o intuito de determinar a correlação entre seus metabólitos secundários. Os resultados das análises metabolômicas apresentaram proximidade com a filogenia principalmente para os dois maiors gêneros, Eremanthus e Lychnophora, analisados separadamente. Portanto, os resultados sugerem que os dados gerados a partir das análises metabolômicas podem ser utilizados em estudos quimiotaxonômicos da subtribo Lychnophorinae, sobretudo como dados primários para a reconstrução filogenética de gêneros. No que diz respeito às análises de possíveis interações inseto-planta, foi possível observar que alguns espécimens apresentaram correlação significativa com as plantas hospedeiras, evidenciando que a abordagem metabolômica pode ser utilizada como ferramenta na investigação de interações inseto-planta. Nestas amostras, pôde-se observar a presença de triterpenos, flavonoides e lactonas sesquiterpênicas adquiridas nas plantas por meio da herbivoria. / The subtribe Lychnophorinae occurs in the Cerrado domain of the Brazilian Central Plateau. The relationships among its recognized genera, as well as the relationships between Lychnophorinae and other subtribes belonging in tribe Vernonieae have been recently investigated upon a phylogeny based on molecular and morphological data. In addition, a preliminar overview of insect diversity in Brazilian Cerrado suggests that it may harbor a considerable fraction of the neotropical. We here report the use of a comprehensive untargeted metabolomics approach, combining LC-MS and GC-MS data together, followed by multivariate analyses aiming to assess the congruence between metabolomics data and the phylogenetic hypothesis, as well as its potential as a chemotaxonomic tool. Also we report the use of untargeted metabolomics approach aiming to assess insect-plant interactions. We analyzed 78 species by GC-MS and LC-MS in both positive and negative ionization modes. The metabolic profiles obtained for these species were treated in MetAlign and in MSClust and the matrices generated were combined and used in SIMCA for hierarchical cluster analyses (HCA), principal component analyses (PCA) and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The insects were collected quarterly and analyzed by the same analytical methods as plants. Results show that metabolomics analyses are mostly congruent with the phylogenetic hypothesis especially at lower taxonomic levels. Therefore, our results suggest that data generated by metabolomics approaches provide valuable evidence for chemotaxonomical studies of Lychnophorinae subtribe, in particular as primary data for phylogenetic reconstruction of lineages as genera. Regarding to insects, it was possible to observe significative correlations between some insects and their host plants. In these samples, were able to identify triterpenes, flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones.

No description available.

New Zealand’s isolation and periods of marine transgression have limited its biota to an extent which can be considered depauperate, even by island standards. Endemic vertebrates are rare and prominent invertebrate families, such as the renowned forest defoliators of the Lymantriidae, are absent. The proven vulnerability of the flora to introduced vertebrates reaffirms a belief in the invasiveness of islands and fuels the contingency plans aimed at averting similar devastation from further alien invertebrate defoliators. Nothofagus is a dominant element of the climax forests of New Zealand and the larger landmasses bordering the South Pacific Ocean. Assessments of the resistance to defoliation of continental and New Zealand species of Nothofagus, and a range of other forest genera endemic to New Zealand, was undertaken using bioassays of naïve polyphagous defoliators. The bioassays were undertaken in Europe, utilising gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) and the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) as defoliators, fed foliage plants growing in European arboreta. In New Zealand, bioassays utilised Australian painted apple moth, Teia anartoides (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) and tree species from local arboreta, gardens and natural populations. Larval growth rate was the primary parameter recorded to assess plant resistance. The relevance of growth rate was investigated by comparison with other recorded parameters and resistance to a surrogate pathogen, in the form of commercially available bio-insecticide. Larval growth rate was positively correlated with survivorship, potential fecundity, mating success and resistance to disease. The growth rate of larvae fed Nothofagus was positively correlated to the species-specific leaf nitrogen content. The results of the bioassays showed that despite the accepted paradigms, New Zealand’s flora was largely resistant to exotic defoliators. As an explanation of this apparent anomaly, the Island Resource Allocation (IRA) hypothesis was developed and posits that ‘the palatability iv of a plant to invertebrate herbivores is proportional to the geographic range of the plant’. The basis for the IRA hypothesis proposes a redefinition of the fundamental ecological principle of the species: area relationship. Islands, or similarly geographically constrained ecosystems, which support lower biodiversity, have impoverished trophic levels and consequently have weaker top-down regulation of herbivores by natural enemies. The IRA hypothesis argues that island ecosystem stability is achieved through the bottom-up process of plant defence. The IRA hypothesis was tested intra-specifically using bioassays using painted apple moth in which larvae were offered foliage of specimens from naturally discontinuous populations of Nothofagus truncata. The results supported the hypothesis in that the smallest populations of N. truncata exhibited the greatest resistance to the defoliator. The IRA hypothesis and a demonstrated mechanism for a differential resistance in Nothofagus species could resolve a number of enduring debates in ecology. Habitat area appears to explain the relative strengths of top-down and bottom-up regulation of herbivores. It also predicts the strengths of reciprocal evolution within the geographic mosaic of co-evolution and highlights the influence of biodiversity in invasive ecology. It may also help to resolve the contentious and extremely relevant debate of the role of biodiversity in ecosystem function.

L’abondance des insectes phytophages est déterminée par l’influence de facteurs biotiques et abiotiques qui affectent leurs traits d’histoire de vie. Chez les espèces phytophages à reproduction sur capital, la qualité de la plante hôte sur laquelle les individus effectuent leur développement larvaire est un facteur critique affectant le succès reproducteur des adultes. Curieusement, si l’effet de la plante hôte sur le potentiel reproductif des femelles a été largement décrit, il n’a été que peu étudié sur celui des mâles. Par ailleurs, chez les lépidoptères, lors de l’accouplement, la femelle reçoit du mâle un cadeau nuptial sous la forme d’un spermatophore contenant des spermatozoïdes ainsi que des sécrétions produites par les glandes accessoires. Ces sécrétions constituent des bénéfices directs pour la femelle qui pourra les remobiliser pour augmenter sa fécondité. Mon projet de thèse vise à déterminer l’influence de la plante hôte sur les performances reproductives des mâles et d’en évaluer les conséquences sur le potentiel reproductif des femelles et sur l’évolution des stratégies de choix de partenaire chez un papillon ravageur de la vigne, l’Eudémis (Lobesia botrana). Les expériences menées au cours de ces trois années de thèse révèlent que la nutrition larvaire sur différents cépages de vigne module fortement les réserves énergétiques des mâles, affectant leur potentiel reproductif à travers la taille et le contenu des spermatophores qu’ils transfèrent aux femelles pendant l’accouplement. De plus, l’investissement du mâle dans la production de spermatophores décline au cours d’accouplements successifs, les mâles n’étant capables de produire qu’un seul spermatophore riche en nutriments au cours de leur vie. Ces deux facteurs (nutrition larvaire et expérience sexuelle), qui affectent fortement la qualité reproductive des mâles, ont d’importantes conséquences sur le potentiel reproductif de leur partenaire. En effet, les femelles recevant des spermatophores riches en nutriments et en spermatozoïdes ont plus de descendants que celles recevant des spermatophores de moins bonne qualité. Enfin, les femelles semblent capables de discriminer parmi les mâles en se basant sur des critères reflétant leur qualité reproductive, s’accouplant préférentiellement avec ceux leur procurant le plus de bénéfices directs. Ainsi, les résultats de cette thèse confirment l’importance d’intégrer l’effet mâle quand on s’intéresse à l’évolution des populations de phytophages. De plus, identifier les facteurs écologiques modulant les interactions entre les partenaires sexuels chez les espèces menaçant les cultures est crucial pour pouvoir optimiser les programmes de gestion de ces ravageurs. / The abundance of phytophagous insects is determined by numerous interacting biotic and abiotic factors. In capital-breeding phytophagous insects, larval host plant quality is a key determinant of the adult phenotype and the performance of both males and females. Curiously, if the effect of host plant quality on female reproductive success is well-established, little effort has been conducted to determine this effect on male reproductive success. Moreover, in Lepidoptera, males transfer to females a spermatophore containing sperm and accessory gland products rich in nutrients that could be reinvested into female reproduction. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate how male larval nutrition on different host cultivars affects male reproductive traits which could, in turn, influence female reproductive output and mate choice strategies in an important grapevine pest, the European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana). During these three years, we found that the host cultivar for the larvae strongly influences the energy reserves of male adult moths, affecting ultimately their reproductive potential through the size and content of spermatophores they transfer to females at mating. Moreover, male investment in the spermatophore declines over consecutives matings, suggesting that spermatophores are energetically expensive to produce in this monandrous capital breeding species. Thus ‘male quality’ depends on both the male larval origin and mating history, and females receiving protein-rich spermatophores at mating have an overall greater reproductive output than females mated with poor quality males producing less nutritionally rich spermatophores. Finally, females are able to discriminate among males and mate more with males having high sperm quality (virgin males or males from certain cultivars or geographical origins) to obtain substantial direct benefits.The results of this thesis confirm the importance of considering the “male effect” when trying to understand the evolution of phytophagous populations. Moreover, identifying the ecological conditions that influence the mating success of male and female in crop-pest species may lead to a better management of these crop pests.