Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-xbtfd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-01T21:12:20.768Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Examination of the involvement of mechanical strength in antixenotic resistance of subterranean clover cotyledons to the redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor) (Acarina: Penthaleidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Y. Jiang
Affiliation:
Co-operative Research Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
T.J. Ridsdill-Smith*
Affiliation:
Co-operative Research Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
*
Dr. T. J. Ridsdill-Smith, CSIRO Division of Entomology, Private Bag, Wembley, WA 6014, Australia.

Abstract

Resistance involving penetrability of cotyledons of subterranean clover Trifolium subterraneum (Leguminosae) by the redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor Tucker, was examined in this study using several approaches. Values of penetrability, presented as mechanical strength measured with a penetrometer with a tubulated probe, of cotyledons tested 11–13 days after seeding, from nine varieties of two subspecies of subterranean clover (T. subterraneum subsp. yanninicum and subsp. brachycalicinum) were negatively correlated with feeding damage caused by H. destructor in both 3 h pairwise choice tests in a Petri dish with detached cotyledons, and in 2 week multiple choice tests in containers with seedlings. Simulation tests with different artificial membranes (Parafilm and Gladwrap) making up sachets, containing 5% glucose as a feeding stimulant, indicated that within 3 h H. destructor preferred membranes with lower strength. Field-collected young adults had significantly higher physical fitness to feed and/or gather on the artificial membrane sachet containing 5% glucose, than those from the laboratory culture, when the sachet was compared with cotyledons of either resistant (DGI007) or susceptible (Dalkeith) varieties in the choice tests. Electron microscopic observations of mite infested cotyledons of the resistant variety (DGI007) reveal that upper epidermal cell walls around penetration holes are bent inwards. Anticlinal cell walls of palisade cells appear buckled following attack by H. destructor. The results from these studies were taken as further evidence for the involvement of mechanical factors in antixenotic resistance of subterranean clover cotyledons to H. destructor.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Annells, A.J. & Ridsdill-Smith, T.J. (1994) Host plant species and carbohydrate supplements affecting rate of multiplication of redlegged earth mite. Experimental and Applied Acarology 18, 521530.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bergvinson, D.J., Arnason, J.T., Hamilton, R.I.Mihm, J.A. & Jewell, D.C. (1994) Determining leaf toughness and its role in maize resistance to the European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 87, 17431748.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Edwards, P.B. & Wanjura, W.J. (1990) Physical attributes of eucalypt leaves and the host range of chrysomelid beetles. Symposium of Biology Hungary 39, 127136.Google Scholar
Ekka, I., Rodriguez, J.G. & Davis, D.L. (1971) Influence of dietary improvement on oviposition and egg viability of the mite, Tetranychus urticae. Journal of Insect Physiology 17, 13931399.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gillespie, D.J. (1993) Redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor) resistance in annual pasture legumes. pp. 211213 in Delfosse, E. (Ed.) Pests of pastures. Melbourne, Australia, CSIRO.Google Scholar
Gillespie, D.J. (1994) Identification and development of annual legume varieties with resistance to redlegged earth mite. pp. 14 in McDonald, G. & Hoffmann, A.A. (Eds) Proceedings of 2nd National Workshop on Redlegged Earth Mite, Lucerne Flea and Blue Oat Mite. Australia, Agriculture Victoria.Google Scholar
Jiang, Y. & Ridsdill-Smith, T.J. (in press) Antixenotic resistance of subterranean clover to redlegged earth mite, Halodyteus destructor (Acarina: Penthaleidae). Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata.Google Scholar
Lucas, P.W., Choong, M.F., Tan, H.T.W., Turner, I.M. & Berrick, A.J. (1991) The fracture toughness of the leaf of the dicotyledon Calophyllum inophyllum L. (Guttiferae). Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society (London) B 334, 95106.Google Scholar
Miles, P.W. (1987) Feeding process of Aphidoidea in relation to effects on their food plants. pp. 321339 in Minks, A.K. & Harrewijn, P. (Eds) Aphids, their biology, natural enemies and control. Vol. A. Amsterdam, Elsevier.Google Scholar
Ridsdill-Smith, T.J. (1991) A contribution to assessing the economic impact of redlegged earth mite on agricultural production in Australia. pp. 5356 in Ridsdill-Smith, T.J. (Ed.) Proceedings of a National Workshop on Redlegged Earth Mite, Lucerne Flea and Blue Oat Mite. Western Australia, Department of Agriculture.Google Scholar
Ridsdill-Smith, T.J., Craig, S. & Beaton, C.D. (in press) Microscopic examination of feeding damage to subterranean clover cotyledons caused by Halotydeus destructor (Tucker) (Acarina: Penthaleidae) in Needham, G.R., Mitchell, R., Horn, D.J. & Wellbourn, W.C. (Eds) Proceedings IX International Congress of Acarology, Columbus, Ohio, USA.Google Scholar
Ridsdill-Smith, T.J. & Gillespie, D.J. (1993) Assays for the study of subclover resistance to redlegged earth mites. pp. 326329 in Corey, S.A., Dall, D.J. & Milne, W.M. (Eds) Pest control and sustainable agriculture. Australia, CSIRO.Google Scholar
Ridsdill-Smith, T.J., Jiang, Y. & Ghisalberti, E.L. (in press) A method to test chemical compounds for feeding deterrence towards redlegged earth mite. Annals of Applied Biology.Google Scholar
Sands, D.P.A. & Brancatini, V.A. (1991) A portable penetrometer for measuring leaf toughness in insect herbivory studies. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 93, 786788.Google Scholar
Stevenson, P.C., Blaney, W.M., Simmonds, M.J.C. & Wightman, J.A. (1993) The identification and characterisation of resistance in wild species of Arachis to Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Bulletin of Entomological Research 83, 421429.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tanton, M. (1962) The effect of ‘leaf toughness’ on the feeding of larvae of the mustard beetle Phaedon cochleariae Fab. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 5, 7478.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tjallingii, W.F. (1988) Electrical recording of stylet penetration activities. pp. 95108 in Minks, A.K. & Harrewijn, P. (Eds) Aphids, their biology, natural enemies and control. Vol. 2A. Amsterdam, Elsevier.Google Scholar
Vincent, J.F.V. (1990) Fracture properties of plants. pp. 235288 in Callow, J.A. (Ed.) Advances in botanical research. Vol. 17. London, Academic Press.Google Scholar
Waller, D.A. (1982) Leaf-cutting ants and live oak: The role of leaf toughness in seasonal and intraspecific host choice. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 32, 146150.Google Scholar