STRESS SPECIFICITY OF MATERNAL EFFECTS IN HELIOTHIS VIRESCENS (BODDIE) (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) LARVAE

Abstract

AbstractQuercetin, a growth-inhibiting compound that is produced by many plants, was incorporated into an artificial diet and fed to Heliothis virescens (Boddie) larvae. Eggs were collected from females that had developed on this diet and from females that had developed on unadulterated artificial diet. Neonates from these eggs were placed on diets containing quercetin or other commonly occurring plant compounds (rutin, gossypol, gramine). Offspring from parents that had developed on quercetin-containing diet grew more slowly on diets containing quercetin, rutin, or gossypol, than did larvae from parents reared on unadulterated diet. Larvae from both types of parents grew at the same rate when reared on gramine-containing diet. Maternal, but not paternal, diet led to decreased growth of offspring on quercetin-containing diet. When reared on quercetin- and rutin-containing diets, offspring from parents that had developed on tobacco or soybean grew more slowly than larvae from parents reared on unadulterated diet.