The Effects of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids on Trichoplusia ni Fecundity

Abstract

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) have been sequestered by Lepidoptera to create their own defensive mechanism against predators and to promote the growth and development of coremata. We asked whether PAs affected the fitness of Trichoplusia ni moths. To determine the effects of PAs on the moths' fitness, larvae were separated into three dietary groups: control, low PA, and high PA. Once pupated, control group males were bred with females from each group to reproduce. We found that eggs were not laid by any group because of their inability to reproduce and survive long enough for females to lay their eggs. Therefore, we lacked results regarding the effects of PAs on the specie's fitness. However, female moths were preserved in ethanol for future research. Other than fitness, results were found for other aspects of the T. ni species such as survival rate and mass.