title: Maternally induced intraclutch cannibalism: an adaptive response to predation risk?
abstract: Theory on condition-dependent risk-taking indicates that when prey are in poor condition, their anti-predator responses should be weak. However, variation in responses resulting from differences in condition is generally considered an incidental by-product of organisms living in a heterogeneous environment. Using Leptinotarsa decemlineata beetles and stinkbug (Podisus maculiventris) predators, we hypothesised that in response to predation risk, parents improve larval nutritional condition and expression of anti-predator responses by promoting intraclutch cannibalism. We showed that mothers experiencing predation risk increase production of unviable trophic eggs, which assures provisioning of an egg meal to the newly hatched offspring. Next, we experimentally demonstrated that egg cannibalism reduces L. decemlineata vulnerability to predation by improving larval nutritional condition and expression of anti-predator responses. Intraclutch cannibalism in herbivorous insects might be a ubiquitous strategy, aimed to overcome the dual challenge of feeding on protein-limited diets while living under constant predation threat.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 12854, USA.
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tigreros
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 12854, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 12854, USA.
authors.forename: Eugenia H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 12854, USA.|Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 12854, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Thaler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002190:Cannibalism; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D020387:Food Chain; D020062:Heteroptera / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009758:Nymph / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Colorado potato beetle; maternal effects; predator avoidance; predator-prey interaction; siblicide