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Role of Volatile and Non-Volatile Plant Secondary Metabolites in Host Tree Selection by Christmas Beetles

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Abstract

Individual Eucalyptus trees in south-eastern Australia vary considerably in susceptibility to herbivores. On the one hand, studies with insect herbivores have suggested that variation in the concentrations of foliar monoterpenes is related to variation in susceptibility. On the other, studies with marsupial folivores have suggested that variation in the concentrations of sideroxylonals (a group of formylated phloroglucinol compounds) is responsible for variation in susceptibility. We examined relative importance of sideroxylonals and 1,8-cineole (a dominant monoterpene) in host tree selection by Christmas beetles (Anoplognathus species: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) by using no-choice experiments, choice/no-choice experiments, and manipulative experiments in which concentrations of sideroxylonals or 1,8-cineole were altered. We used two species of host Eucalyptus, one species of non-host Eucalyptus, and three species of non-host non-Eucalyptus trees. Leaf consumption by Christmas beetles was negatively correlated with the concentrations of sideroxylonals and 1,8-cineole. Artificial increases in the concentration of sideroxylonals or 1,8-cineole reduced leaf consumption by Christmas beetles. An artificial reduction in foliar monoterpenes had no effect on leaf consumption by the beetles when leaves contained high or very low concentrations of sideroxylonals. However, when the concentration of sideroxylonals was moderate, a reduction in the foliar monoterpenes increased leaf consumption by the beetles. Therefore, monoterpenes such as 1,8-cineole may be used as a negative cue by Christmas beetles. The pattern of food consumption on non-host Eucalyptus species and non-host non-Eucalyptus species suggest that both positive and negative cues may be used by Christmas beetles to select host trees.

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Acknowledgements

We thank J. Dowse, R. Sutherland, M. Ebbers, W. Wanjura, G. Farrell, B. Clarke, B. Eschler, I. Lawler, and M. Michie for technical advice, assistance, and discussions. B. Eschler provided purified sideroxylonals. Comments by R. Andrew, S. Cunningham, P. Gullan, P. Edwards, T. Heard, A. Keszei, M. Steinbauer, and anonymous reviewers improved the manuscript. We also thank the late K. Barker, the late H. Healey, and S. Dwyer for granting permission to collect leaves on their properties. P. Edwards provided the historical record of Christmas beetle defoliation. M. Watson, B. Moore, and I. Lawler shared their knowledge of the susceptibility of some Eucalyptus trees to marsupial folivores. Financial support was provided by Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation and Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry—Australia. This paper is dedicated to the late Kevin Barker who has noticed a mosaic tree.

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  1. Mamoru Matsuki

    Present address: Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management, The University of Western Australia and Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, 444 Albany Highway, Albany, Western Australia, 6330, Australia

  2. Robert B. Floyd

    Present address: Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office, R. G. Casey Building, John McEwen Crescent, Barton, Australian Capital Territory, 0221, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia

    Mamoru Matsuki & Robert B. Floyd

  2. Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 0200, Australia

    Mamoru Matsuki & William J. Foley

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  1. Mamoru Matsuki
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Correspondence to Mamoru Matsuki.

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Matsuki, M., Foley, W.J. & Floyd, R.B. Role of Volatile and Non-Volatile Plant Secondary Metabolites in Host Tree Selection by Christmas Beetles. J Chem Ecol 37, 286–300 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-011-9916-5

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