Effects of root herbivory by an insect on a foliar-feeding species, mediated through changes in the host plant

Abstract

The effects of root herbivory by larvae of the scarabaeid, Phyllopertha horticola, on the growth of Capsella bursa-pastoris were examined. Individuals of Aphis fabae were reared on the leaves to determine what effect, if any, root feeding has on the performance of this insect. The experiment was conducted under two watering regimes ('low' and 'high'). Low watering and root feeding caused water stress in the plants and this was reflected in a reduction in vegetative biomass and an increase in the proportion of material allocated to reproduction. Supplying plants with ample water in the 'high' treatment enabled the water stress caused by root herbivory to be offset, but not completely overcome. Low watering and root feeding caused an increase in aphid weight and growth rate, while root feeding also increased fecundity and adult longevity. These effects are attributed to an improvement in food quality, measured by total soluble nitrogen, and caused by amino acid mobilization due to the water stress. The implications of these results in agricultural and ecological situations are discussed.

Keywords: Aphid; Capsella bursa-pastoris; Insect/plant interactions; Plant water stress; Root herbivory.