Plant secondary metabolites can affect insect feeding but responses are species-specific. Sideroxylonal-A (a formylated phloroglucinol) has been shown to inhibit feeding in several vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores. To investigate whether sideroxylonal-A affected feeding in sawfly larvae, Perga affinis affinis, we fed larvae eucalypt leaves containing various concentrations of sideroxylonal-A, and measured frass production as an indicator of consumption. We found that: (1) at least 80% of the sideroxylonal-A ingested by larvae was stored in the diverticulum; (2) less than 1% was excreted in frass; (3) feeding was unaffected by the concentration of sideroxylonal-A; and (4) larvae produced more frass on natal host leaves than on non-natal host leaves.
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8 June 2020
The effect of sideroxylonal-A on feeding of steelblue sawfly, Perga affinis affinis Kirby (Hymenoptera : Pergidae), larvae
Anthony Massaro,
Paul D. Cooper
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Australian Journal of Zoology
Vol. 67 • No. 2
June 2020
Vol. 67 • No. 2
June 2020
feeding deterrent
formylated phloroglucinols
insect herbivory