Summary Early nutrition plays an important role in determining adult fitness. Theory proposes that organisms with complex life cycles, the fitness effects of larval nutritional constraints are mainly captured by two developmental traits: time and size at metamorphosis. However, recent evidence suggests latent effects, which independent these traits, must be included to fully understand how impacts In this study, I used cabbage butterfly ( Pieris rapae ) as a model system investigate...

In Tribolium flour beetles and other organisms, individuals migrate between heterogeneous environments where they often encounter markedly different nutritional conditions. Under these circumstances, theory suggests that genotype-by-environment interactions (GEI) may be important in facilitating adaptation to new maintaining genetic variation for male traits subject directional selection. Here, we used a nested half-sib breeding design with castaneum partition the separate joint effects of...

Abstract Theory on condition‐dependent risk‐taking indicates that when prey are in poor condition, their anti‐predator responses should be weak. However, variation resulting from differences condition is generally considered an incidental by‐product of organisms living a heterogeneous environment. Using Leptinotarsa decemlineata beetles and stinkbug ( Podisus maculiventris) predators, we hypothesised response to predation risk, parents improve larval nutritional expression by promoting...

Abstract Prey species can respond to the risk of predation with a range antipredator behaviours and physiological changes. While these responses increase chances survival, they often involve feeding reductions greater energy expenditure (e.g. increases in metabolic rate). As consequence, prey response is constrained by its own nutritional condition. number studies indeed demonstrate that better condition have stronger behaviours, we do not yet understand how impacts component prey's...

Abstract Solitary, size‐variable bees are adapted to a wide range of thermal environments (e.g., through critical maxima, or CT max ) and important, understudied subjects for research on species' vulnerability climate change. Centris pallida solitary, ground‐nesting desert with females varying two‐fold in body mass. We hypothesized that size would affect female C. pallida, predicting an increase result increased tolerance . tested the effects mass using ramping assay while controlling age....

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is a conspicuous yet poorly understood pattern across many organisms. Although artificial selection an important tool for studying the evolution of SSD, previous studies have applied to only single sex or both sexes in same direction. In nature, however, SSD likely arises through sex-specific on body size. Here, we use Tribolium castaneum flour beetles investigate by subjecting males and females sexually antagonistic (sexes selected opposite directions)....

Desert organisms must adapt to high temperatures survive and reproduce. Individuals using different microclimates for fitness-relevant behaviors may be faced with thermal selective pressures, even within a population of single species. One mechanism adaptation extreme is increased physiological tolerance, which can experimentally determined by testing an organism's critical maxima (CT max ). Understanding the adaptive role CT individuals in environments complicated fact that variation body...

Japanese beetles are important pests of many agricultural and horticultural plants, yet few studies have attempted to follow the mating behavior individuals in field. In this study, we recorded patch residence on food plants under field conditions. Pairs were marked their fates followed for 2 days. Both male female frequently mated with more than one individual, males being likely pair multiply females but quickly re-pairing males. Patch departure differed between females, tending leave...

Female condition may play an important role in the mating frequency of species that mate at foraging areas. For example, where feeding females are more easily encountered or less resistant to than performing other activities, low energy levels could increase activity. We studied relationship between female and activity Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica (Coleoptera Scarabaeidae) a laboratory study. altered by depriving some food for one day comparing their behavior well-fed females. Our...

1. Maternal provisioning can reduce offspring vulnerability to predators by promoting growth and eliciting of antipredator behaviours. Mothers perceiving predation risk may improve survival if producing larger, higher‐quality offspring. However, empirical evidence suggests that quality is often reduced, probably reflecting predator‐induced physiological costs, or a selfish maternal strategy aimed at more sacrificing their quality. While perception impact vary across the prey's life stage,...

Despite the ubiquity of parental effects and their potential effect on evolutionary dynamics, contribution to evolution predator-prey interactions remains poorly understood. Using quantitative genetics, here we demonstrate that substantially contribute larval antipredator responses in a leaf beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). Previous research showed larger L. decemlineata larvae elicit stronger responses, mothers perceiving predators improved offspring by increasing intraclutch...

Because mating may be costly, sexually active males or females are predicted to in relatively good physiological condition and preferentially direct their behavior toward high-quality mates. We tested this hypothesis Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica Newman), a pest species which either isolated aggregations while feeding on host plants. examined male size lipid content female egg load with respect both pairing status whether they were aggregations. Males that paired had the highest...

ABSTRACT Despite the ubiquity of parental effects and their potential impact on evolutionary dynamics, contribution to evolution ecologically relevant adaptations remains poorly understood. Using quantitative genetics, here we demonstrate that contribute substantially larval antipredator responses in a leaf beetle ( Leptinotarsa decemlineata ). Previous research showed larger L. larvae elicit stronger responses, mothers perceiving predators improved offspring by increasing intraclutch...

Plant-herbivore and plant-pollinator interactions are both well-studied, but largely independent of each other. It has become increasingly recognized, however, that pollination herbivory interact extensively in nature, with consequences for plant fitness. Here, we explore the idea trade-offs investment insect flight reproduction may be a mechanistic link between herbivory. We first provide general background on fecundity insects. then focus Lepidoptera; larvae generally herbivores while most...

Abstract Intensive use of agricultural land often modifies the landscape by dividing continuous natural habitat into smaller and more isolated patches. While it is widely recognized that fragmentation a main cause species extinction, less known about how this impacts function organisms do persist in modified environment. Understanding these effects complicated fact can affect directly but also indirectly, altering patch microclimatic conditions. Here, we integrate satellite image analysis,...

Abstract Context Intensive use of agricultural land often modifies the landscape by dividing continuous natural habitat into smaller and more isolated patches. While it is widely recognized that fragmentation a main cause species extinction, less known about how this impacts function organisms do persist in modified environment. Understanding these effects complicated fact can affect directly but also indirectly, altering patch microclimatic conditions. Objectives We tested hypothesis...