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PLoS One

Title:		"Aphid infestations reduce monarch butterfly colonization, herbivory, and growth on ornamental milkweed"
Author(s):		Mach BM; Long W; Daniels JC; Dale AG;
Address:		"Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America. Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, FL, United States of America"
Journal Title:		PLoS One
Year:		2023
Volume:		20230726
Issue:		7
Page Number:		e0288407 -
DOI:		10.1371/journal.pone.0288407
ISSN/ISBN:		1932-6203 (Electronic) 1932-6203 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Anthropogenic disturbance is driving global biodiversity loss, including the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), a dietary specialist of milkweed. In response, ornamental milkweed plantings are increasingly common in urbanized landscapes, and recent evidence indicates they have conservation value for monarch butterflies. Unfortunately, sap-feeding insect herbivores, including the oleander aphid (Aphis nerii), frequently reach high densities on plants in nursery settings and urbanized landscapes. Aphid-infested milkweed may inhibit monarch conservation efforts by reducing host plant quality and inducing plant defenses. To test this, we evaluated the effects of oleander aphid infestation on monarch oviposition, larval performance, and plant traits using tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica), the most common commercially available milkweed species in the southern U.S. We quantified monarch oviposition preference, larval herbivory, larval weight, and plant characteristics on aphid-free and aphid-infested milkweed. Monarch butterflies deposited three times more eggs on aphid-free versus aphid-infested milkweed. Similarly, larvae fed aphid-free milkweed consumed and weighed twice as much as larvae fed aphid-infested milkweed. Aphid-free milkweed had higher total dry leaf biomass and nitrogen content than aphid-infested milkweed. Our results indicate that oleander aphid infestations can have indirect negative impacts on urban monarch conservation efforts and highlight the need for effective Lepidoptera-friendly integrated pest management tactics for ornamental plants"
Keywords:		Animals Female *Butterflies/physiology *Asclepias Herbivory *Aphids/physiology Larva;
Notes:		"MedlineMach, Bernadette M Long, William Daniels, Jaret C Dale, Adam G eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. 2023/07/26 PLoS One. 2023 Jul 26; 18(7):e0288407. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288407. eCollection 2023"