Foraging in a pathogen reservoir can lead to local host population extinction a case study of a Lepidoptera-virus interaction
In 1990, natural infestations of the polyp- hagous vapourer moth, Orgyia antiqua (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) in lodgepole pine plantations in northern Scotland, were studied to ascertain the role of host foraging behaviour on the prevalence of nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV; Baculoviridae) infection in the population. Aerial dispersal of early instar larvae (L1-L3) from the tree canopy onto heather foliage at the forest understorey, with subsequent relocation back onto the tree as late-instar larvae (L4-L6) appeared to play a significant role in the development of a widespread virus epizootic in which approximately 80% of L4-L6 individuals succumbed to disease. Bioassays of foliage 1 year later showed that the distribution of NPV followed a pronounced vertical gradient through the forest canopy culminating in high concentrations of virus in the forest understorey. Experimental systems comprising potted pine trees positioned above heather bases showed that NPV infections could be acquired by early stage larvae following dispersal from the tree and feeding on the undercanopy vegetation, then translocated to the tree component for secondary transmission to susceptible tree feeding individuals.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Texto biblioteca |
| Language: | eng |
| Subjects: | Orgyia antiqua, Larvas, Lepidópteros, Salinas, Pinus contorta, |
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