Comparisons of contact chemoreception and food acceptance by larvae of polyphagous Helicoverpa armigera and oligophagous Bombyx mori.

ABSTRACT: We compared food choice and the initial response to deterrent treated diet between fifth instars of Helicoverpa armigera, a polyphagous generalist pest, and Bombyx mori, an oligophagous specialist beneficial. Bombyx mori was more behaviorally sensitive to salicin than to caffeine. The relative sensitivities were reversed for H. armigera, which was tolerant to the highest levels of salicin found in natural sources but sensitive to caffeine. A single gustatory receptor neuron (GRN) in the medial styloconic sensillum of B. mori was highly sensitive to salicin and caffeine. The styloconic sensilla of H. armigera did not respond consistently to either of the bitter compounds. Phagostimulants also were tested. Myo-inositol and sucrose were detected specifically by two GRNs located in B. mori lat

SUBMITTER: Zhang HJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3764315 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature