Modifying oviposition behaviour in phytophagous insects and physiological bases thereof

对于许多以植物为食的昆虫来说，未成熟阶段的成功发育部分取决于成年雌性对产卵的宿主植物的适当选择。有些昆虫似乎更喜欢寄主植物的物种，他们自己的发展，这是正式称为霍普金斯的主机选择原则。 以前旨在支持这一理论的调查往往提供模棱两可，模棱两可或相互矛盾的结果。 最近在我的实验室的调查提供了有趣的证据，幼虫的经验与特定的植物化学物质可以影响随后的成年人的行为。 在我们的模型系统中，使用甘蓝尺蠖蛾（粉纹夜蛾，夜蛾科），我们的数据点幼虫的学习和记忆保留通过变态作为这种现象的机制。本研究的目的是：（1）确定蛾从幼虫到蛹再到成虫保留的记忆的神经基础以及成虫味觉化学感受器的贡献（2）试图证明昆虫的行为是可以被操纵的，这样成虫就可以在边缘或不合适的植物上产卵;（3）探讨产卵选择性与幼虫生产性能的关系。 这项拟议中的研究将扩大我们对神经生理学作为昆虫与植物相互作用媒介的认识，并强调学习和记忆在植食性昆虫中的重要性。 了解昆虫宿主选择可以为未来旨在操纵行为作为无害环境害虫管理手段的策略提供基础。

For many plant-feeding insects, successful development of the immature stages depends in part on the adult female making an appropriate choice of host plant on which to lay her eggs. Some insects appear to prefer hostplant species on which they themselves developed;  this is formally known as the Hopkins' host selection principle.  Previous investigations aimed at supporting this theory have often provided ambiguous, equivocal or conflicting results.  Recent investigations in my laboratory provide intriguing evidence that larval experience with specific plant chemicals can influence subsequent adult behaviour.  In our model system using the cabbage looper moth (Trichoplusia ni, Noctuidae), our data point to larval learning and memory retained through metamorphosis as a mechanism for this phenomenon. The objectives of the proposed research are:  (1) to determine the neural basis of this memory retained from larva to pupa to adult moth and the contribution of adult gustatory chemosensilla (taste organs) to hostplant choice;  (2) to attempt to demonstrate that insect behaviour can be manipulated such that adult insects lay eggs on marginal or unsuitable plants;  and (3) to explore the relationship between oviposition preference and larval performance.  The proposed research will expand our knowledge of neurophysiology as a mediator of insect-plant interactions and underscore the importance of learning and memory in plant-feeding insects.  Understanding insect host choice can provide a foundation for future strategies aimed at manipulating behaviour as a means of environmentally sound pest management.