Physiological Responses Induced by Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Feeding in Maize and Their Effects on O. furnacalis Performance

J Econ Entomol. 2017 Apr 1;110(2):739-747. doi: 10.1093/jee/tox060.

Abstract

Plants damaged by herbivorous insects often respond by mounting a series of defense responses that can inhibit the insect's fitness. Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a major insect pest in maize throughout much of Asia, Australia, and the western Pacific islands. We examined the effects of O. furnacalis -induced maize defenses on O. furnacalis fitness, and explained the effects from biochemical changes that occur in maize leaves in response to O. furnacalis feeding. The results of the age-stage, two-sex life table showed that significantly longer larval and pupal life spans, and total preoviposition period (TPOP) occurred. A decrease in the longevity and fecundity of female adults was observed in O. furnacalis fed on O. furnacalis -damaged leaves. The mean generation time ( T ), finite rate of increase ( ), net reproductive rate ( R 0 ), and intrinsic rate of increase ( r ) were also correspondingly affected. Biochemical assays indicated that 24 h of O. furnacalis herbivory resulted in decreased levels of the benzoxazinoids, 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA), and 2-(2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one)-β-D-glucopyranose (DIMBOA-Glc), and a corresponding increase in 2-(2-hydroxy-4,7-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one)-β-D-glucopyranose (HDMBOA-Glc). Maize also exhibited higher activities of the defensive enzymes-peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO)-after 24 h of herbivory. We concluded that exposure to O. furnacalis -damaged leaves had an inhibitory impact on the fitness of the neonate to pupa stages of O. furnacalis . The observed higher level of HDMBOA-Glc and higher enzymatic activities of POD, SOD, CAT, and PPO may account, in part, for the observed inhibitory effects on O. furnacalis fitness.

Keywords: Ostrinia furnacalis; benzoxazinoid; defensive enzyme; induced resistance; life table.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibiosis*
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Benzoxazines / metabolism
  • Food Chain
  • Glucosides / metabolism
  • Herbivory*
  • Larva / growth & development
  • Larva / physiology
  • Moths / growth & development
  • Moths / physiology*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Zea mays / physiology*

Substances

  • 2-O-glucopyranosyl-4-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one
  • Antioxidants
  • Benzoxazines
  • Glucosides
  • 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one