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J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol

Title:		Induced preference for host plant chemicals in the tobacco hornworm: contribution of olfaction and taste
Author(s):		Glendinning JI; Foley C; Loncar I; Rai M;
Address:		"Department of Biological Sciences, Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA. jglendinning@barnard.edu"
Journal Title:		J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol
Year:		2009
Volume:		20090324
Issue:		6
Page Number:		591 - 601
DOI:		10.1007/s00359-009-0434-7
ISSN/ISBN:		1432-1351 (Electronic) 0340-7594 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Many herbivorous insects induce preferences for host plants. Recent work in Manduca sexta indicates that induced preferences are mediated by a 'tuning' of the peripheral taste system to chemicals within host plant foliage. We tested this hypothesis by rearing caterpillars on artificial diet or potato foliage, and then examining olfactory- and taste-mediated responses to potato foliage extract. First, we confirmed earlier reports that consumption of potato foliage tunes the peripheral taste system by reducing responsiveness to glucose and increasing responsiveness to foliage extract. Second, we offered caterpillars a choice between disks treated with foliage extract (experimental) or solvent alone (control). The foliage-reared caterpillars approached and consumed the experimental disks disproportionately, whereas the diet-reared caterpillars approached and consumed both disks indiscriminately. This indicated that induced preferences involve olfaction and taste. Third, we ran choice tests with foliage-reared caterpillars deprived of either olfactory or gustatory input. Caterpillars lacking olfactory input approached both disks indiscriminately, but fed selectively on experimental disks. In contrast, caterpillars lacking gustatory input approached experimental disks selectively, but fed indiscriminately on both types of disk. We conclude that even though olfaction helps caterpillars locate potato foliage, it is the 'tuned' gustatory response that ultimately mediates the induced preference"
Keywords:		Animals Electrophysiology Food Preferences/*physiology Manduca/*physiology Smell/*physiology Taste/*physiology;
Notes:		"MedlineGlendinning, John I Foley, Cassidy Loncar, Irina Rai, Meelu eng 5 R29 DC 02416/DC/NIDCD NIH HHS/ Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Germany 2009/03/25 J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol. 2009 Jun; 195(6):591-601. doi: 10.1007/s00359-009-0434-7. Epub 2009 Mar 24"