Effect of feeding by the western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis, on the major storage reserves of developing seeds and on seedling vigor of Douglas-fir |
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Authors: | Bates S L Lait C G Borden J H Kermode A R |
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Institution: | Centre for Environmental Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada. |
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Abstract: | The impact of feeding by the western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann) on storage reserves of developing seeds of Douglas-fir (Pseudostuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) was studied by caging nymphal and adult seed bugs on cones during late-season development, and nymphs on cones during early, mid- and late-season development. Analysis of the major storage reserves of partially damaged seeds revealed that late-season feeding by each life stage and feeding by nymphs at all three stages of cone development significantly reduced the amounts of lipid and buffer-insoluble (crystalloid) protein in seeds at harvest by up to 78 and 97%, respectively. Seeds showing light to moderate damage on radiographs did not exhibit a reduction in the amount of buffer-soluble (matrix) protein. Seeds damaged by feeding during early development compensated in part by continuing to synthesize lipid and crystalloid protein. Light or moderate damage to mature Douglas-fir seeds exposed to L. occidentalis in the laboratory reduced seedling emergence by > 80%, but the seedlings that emerged successfully appeared to suffer no adverse effects when grown under standard nursery conditions. |
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