Host‐choice by a specialist folivore reflects trade‐offs between foliage quality and parasitism risks. (21st March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stead, Lauren; Heard, Stephen B.; Johns, Robert C.
• Is Part Of: Ecological entomology. Volume 46:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 856
• Page End: 865
• Publication Date: 2021-03-21
• Subjects: phenology -- trade‐offs -- Choristoneura fumiferana -- parasitism -- Abies balsamea -- Picea mariana; Insects -- Ecology -- Periodicals; Entomology -- Periodicals; 595.7
• DOI: 10.1111/een.13022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0307-6946

Abstract

Abstract : 1. The spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana Clem., is an important outbreaking pest of balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill, and black spruce, Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb., throughout the boreal forests of North America. 2. Despite several studies reporting higher performance for larvae on balsam fir versus those on black spruce, many females still lay eggs on spruce. In this 2‐year study, we explored possible tri‐trophic trade‐offs associated with host selection taking into account both larval overwintering and feeding periods. 3. Based on field surveys, parasitism rates were significantly higher for overwintering larvae on balsam fir than on black spruce in 2017. 4. Field bioassays confirmed past studies showing 21% higher larval survival on balsam fir versus black spruce, especially when larval emergence was synchronized with host budburst. 5. Considering both overwintering and feeding survival, overall spruce budworm performance was nearly equal between hosts, though larvae gained some advantage on balsam fir if larval feeding was synchronized with budburst. 6. These results suggest that female egg lay on both hosts may be a 'bet‐hedging' strategy that balances trade‐offs between higher parasitism and higher foliage quality on different potential host species. Abstract : Field surveys suggested parasitism rates were higher for overwintering larvae on balsam fir than on black spruce, although feeding survival was higher on balsam fir. Overall spruce budworm performance was nearly equal between hosts, though larvae gained some advantage on balsam fir if larval feeding was synchronized with budburst. Females may lay eggs lay on both hosts as a 'bet‐hedging' strategy that balances trade‐offs between higher parasitism and higher foliage quality on different potential host species.