Locusts increase carbohydrate consumption to protect against a fungal biopesticide.

摘要: There is growing evidence to suggest that hosts can alter their dietary intake recoup the specific resources involved in mounting effective resistance against parasites and pathogens. We examined macronutrient ingestion disease-resistance Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera), challenged with a fungal pathogen (Metarhizium acridum) under regimes varying relative amounts of protein digestible carbohydrate. Dietary influenced constitutive immune function greater extent than did carbohydrate, indicating higher costs an defence carbohydrate or overall energy costs. However, it appears increased function, as result ingestion, was not sufficient protect locusts from disease. found restricted diets high (P) low (C) were more likely die infection those P:C ratio. hypothesise fungus efficient at exploiting insect’s haemolymph host producing effectors, tipping balance favour on high-protein diets. When allowed free-choice, survivors fungus-challenge chose less-protein-rich diet succumbing locusts. These results are contrary previous studies caterpillars genus Spodoptera bacterial baculoviral pathogens, nutrient may be complex interaction different species disease agents.