Abstract Detail

Recent Topics Posters

Raya, Cristina [1], Kariyat, Rupesh [2], Chavana, Jesus  [3], Cantu , Jason [4], Guzman , Gildardo [4], Sasidharan, Lekshmi  [5].

Surface war: Effects of trichomes on herbivore growth and development.

Trichomes are hair-like projections that develop from a plant’s epidermis and functions as a form of protection from biotic and abiotic stressors that negatively affect plant fitness.  Although well documented as a herbivore defense, whether variation in trichome type can have negative effects through the different stages of herbivore life cycle is poorly understood. Using Solanum elaeagnifolium, which produce non-glandular stellate trichomes, and Solanum lycopersicum, which predominantly produce glandular, non-branched trichomes, we examined how trichomes affect choice and growth of Manduca sexta, a specialist herbivore of plant species belonging to the family Solanaceae. To accomplish this, we removed leaf trichomes and added them into artificial diet for caterpillars and allowed the caterpillars to grow and develop. Our results show that trichomes negatively affected caterpillar body mass and mass gain, although there was no preference or aversion for them in choice assays. Non-glandular trichomes were particularly damaging, as their consumption resulted in suppressed mass gain and increased time to pupation. While the consumption of glandular trichomes also affected growth, the effects were significantly lower compared to the consumption of non-glandular ones. Taken together, our results show that feeding on trichomes can have negative effects on herbivore larval growth and development and should be examined further.

1 - 1124 Santa Elena Ave, Edinburg , 78542, United States
2 - University Of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, 1201 W. University Dr., Dept Of Biology, 1201 W. University Dr., Dept Of Biology, Edinburg,, TX, 78539, United States
3 - University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
4 - N/A
5 - University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Mathematics , 1201 W University Dr, Edinburg, TX, 78539, US

Keywords:
trichomes
Body mass
Solanum
Manduca sexta .

Presentation Type:
Session: P, Recent Topics Posters
Location: Arizona Ballroom/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PRT023
Abstract ID:1400
Candidate for Awards:None