title: Phenotypic trait changes in laboratory--reared colonies of the maize herbivore, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera.
abstract: The North American and European maize pest Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was used to assess whether conditions of the natal field, subsequent laboratory rearing, or genetic population origin affect phenotypic traits of fitness, activity, or morphometrics. Standardized laboratory bioassays with large sample sizes revealed that none of the 16 tested traits, except crawling behaviours, appeared consistently stable across all seven tested colonies. Environmental conditions in the natal field of the F 0 generation affected trait averages of the subsequently reared F 1 generation in laboratory in ca. 47% of cases, and trait variability in 67% of cases. This was apparent for fitness and morphometrics, but less obvious for activity traits. Early generation laboratory rearing affected trait averages in ca. 56% of cases: morphometrics changed; fecundity and egg survival increased from F 1 to F 2. Trait variability increased or decreased in 38% of cases. Laboratory rearing for over more than 190 generations affected the trait averages in 60% of cases, reflected by decreases in flight activity and increases in body size, weight, and fecundity to some extent. It had little effect on trait variability, especially so for morphometric variability. The genetic population origin affected average levels of 55% and variability of 63% of phenotypic traits. A comparison among D. v. virgifera studies might be difficult if they use different populations or laboratory colonies. It is advised to consider possible effects of original field conditions, laboratory rearing, and population genetics when planning comparative studies targeting fitness, activity, or morphometric questions regarding Diabrotica species.
authors.affiliation: Chinese Ministry of Agriculture - CABI Joint Laboratory for Biosafety, Yuanmingyuan Western Road 2, CN - 100193 Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: INRA UMR, Route des Chappes 400, F - 06903 Sophia Antipolis, France.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Guillemaud
authors.affiliation: USDA ARS, North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory, Medary Avenue 2923, US - 57006 Brookings, South Dakota, USA.
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: French
authors.affiliation: CABI, Rue des Grillons 1, CH - 2800 Delémont, Switzerland.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kuhlmann
authors.affiliation: CABI, Rue des Grillons 1, CH - 2800 Delémont, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Toepfer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory / Q000502:physiology*; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000502:physiology*; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D004777:Environment; D005060:Europe; D056084:Genetic Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D005828:Genetics, Population; D060434:Herbivory; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010641:Phenotype; D014481:United States