Abstract
Significant evidence exists that dietary tannin can reduce growth and fecundity of some insect species. However, few studies have identified clear physiological or toxicological impacts of tannins on insect herbivores; some have suggested that tannins are positive nutritional factors. Insect species that feed on tanniniferous plant tissues often appear able to tolerate dietary tannins and may even be stimulated to feed by their presence. Alkaline midgut pH, surfactants, and the peritrophic membrane all may help these species tolerate moderate tannin concentrations in the diet. Reduced growth of adapted species at high tannin concentration may represent metabolic costs, not direct tannin effects. New evidence suggests an important impact of dietary tannin on microbial enemies of insects. The study of tannin-insect interactions has been hampered by poor communication between chemists and biologists.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Zucker, W.V. Tannins: does structure determine function? An ecological perspective. Amer. Nat. 121: 335 (1983).
Bate-Smith, E.D.; Swain, T. Flavonoid compounds. In: Florkin, M.; Mason, H.C. (eds.) Comparative Biochemistry, Vol. III, Academic Press, New York, (1962).
Feeny, P. Effect of oak leaf tannins on larval growth of the winter moth Operopthera bru-mata. J. Insect Physiol. 14: 805 (1968).
Feeny, P. Seasonal changes in the oak leaf tannins and nutrients as a cause of spring feeding by winter moth caterpillars. Ecology 51: 565 (1970).
Feeny, P. Inhibitory effect of oak leaf tannins on the hydrolysis of proteins by trypsin. Phytochemistry 8: 2119 (1969).
Bate-Smith, E.C. Haemanalysis of tannins: the concept of relative astringency. Phytochemistry 12: 907 (1973).
Chang, S.I.; Fuller, H.L. Effect of tannin content of grain sorghums on their feeding value for growing chicks. Poultry Sci. 43: 39 (1964).
Potter, D.K.; Fuller, H.L. Metabolic fate of dietary tannins in chickens. J. Nutrition 96: 187 (1968).
Butler, L.G.; Rogler, J.C.; Mehansho, H.; Carlson, D.M. Dietary effects of tannins. In: Cody, V.; Harborne, J.B.; Middleton, E. (eds.) Biochemical Pharamocological, and Structure-Activity Relationships, A. R. Liss Inc., New York, (1986).
Singleton, V.L.; Kratzer, F.H. Plant phenolics. In: “Toxicants Occurring Naturally in Foods”. Nat. Acad. Sci., Washington, DC (1973).
Rossiter, M.C.; Schultz, J.C.; Baldwin, I.T. Relationships among defoliation, red oak phenolics, and gypsy moth growth and reproduction. Ecology 69: 267 (1988).
Rossiter, M.C.; Schultz, J.C. (unpublished results).
Klocke, J.A.; Chan, B.G. Effects of cotton condensed tannin on feeding and digestion in the cotton pest. Heliothis zea, J. Insect Physiol. 28: 911 (1982).
Sharma, H.C.; Agarwal, R.A. Effect of some antibiotic compounds in Gossypiumon the post-embryonic development of spotted bollworm (Earias vittella). Ent. Exp. and Appl. 31: 255 (1982).
Hedin, P.A.; Jenkins, J.N.; Collura, D.H.; White, W.H.; Parrott, W.L. Multiple factors in cotton contributing to resistance to the tobacco budworm. Heliothis virescens F. A CS Symp 208: 347 (1983).
Bernays, E.A. Plant tannins and insect herbivores: an appraisal. Ecol. Entomol. 6: 353 (1981).
Bernays, E.A. Tannins: an alternative viewpoint. Ent. Exp. and Appl. 24: 44 (1978).
Waldbauer, G.P. The consumption and utilization of food by insects. Adv. Insect Physiol. 5: 229 (1968).
Scriber, J.M.; Slansky, F. The nutritional ecology of immature insects. Ann. Rev. Entomol. 26: 183 (1981).
Bernays, E.A.; Chamberlain, D.J.; Leather, E.M. Tolerance of acridids to ingested condensed tannin. J. Chem. Ecol. 7: 247 (1981).
Berenbaum, M.R. Effects of tannins on growth and digestion in two species of papilionoids. Ent. Exp. and Appl. 34: 245 (1983).
Manuwoto, S.; Scriber, J.M.; Hsia, M.T.; Sunarjo, P. Antibiosis/antixenosis in tulip tree and quaking aspen leaves against the polyphagous southern armyworm. Spodoptera eridania, Oecologia. 67: 1 (1985).
Hagerman, A.E.; Butler, L.G. The specificity of proanthocyanidin-protein interactions. J. Biol. Chem. 256: 4494 (1981).
Steinly, B.A.; Berenbaum, M. Histopathological effects of tannins on the midgut epithelium of Papilio polyxenes and Papilio glaucus. Ent. Exp. and Appl. 39: 3 (1985).
Bernays, E.A.; Chamberlain, D.J.; McCarthy, P. The differential effects of ingested tannic acid on different species of Acridoidea. Ent. Exp. and Appl. 28: 158 (1980).
Brandt, C.R.; Adang, M.J.; Spence, K.D. The periotrophic membrane: ultrastructural analysis and function as a mechanical barrier to microbial infection in Orgyia pseudotsugata. J. Inv. Path. 32: 12 (1978).
Cadman, C.H. Inhibition of plant virus infection by tannins. In: Pridham, J.D. (ed.) Phenolics in Plants in Health and Disease, Pergamon Press, New York (1960).
Mink, G.I.; Huisman, O.; Saksena, K.N. Oxidative inactivation of tulare apple mosaic virus. Virology 29: 437 (1966).
Mole, S.; Waterman, P.G. Tannins as antifeedants to mammalian herbivores - still an open question? ACS Symp. 250: 572 (1987).
Tipton, K.W.; Floyd, E.H.; Marshall, J.C.; McDevitt, J.B. Resistance of certain grain sorghum hybrids to bird damage in Louisiana. Agron. J. 62: 211 (1970).
Bettolo, G.B.M.; Marta, M.; Pomponi, M.; Bernays, E.A. Flavan oxygenation pattern and insect feeding deterrence. Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 14: 249 (1986).
Barbosa, P.; Krischik, V.A. Influence of alkaloids on feeding preference of eastern deciduous trees by the gypsy moth. Lymantria dispar L. Amer. Nat. 130: 53 (1987).
van Gornitz, K. Frassauslosende stoffe fur polyphagen holzgewachsen fressenden raupen. Verhandl. Deutchen Gesell. fur Ange. Entomol. 6: 38 (1954).
Grevillius, A.Y. Zur Kenntnis der Biologie des goldafters (Euproctis chrysorrhoea L.) and der durch denselben verusachten Beshadigungen. Bolan. Zentral. 18: 222 (1905).
Glyphis, J.P. “Herbivory and Tannin Polyphenols in Mediterranean Ecosystems”, PhD. Dissertation, Faculty of Science, University of Cape Town, South Africa, (1985).
Schultz, J.C. Impact of invariable plant chemical defenses on insect susceptibility to parasites predators, and diseases. ACS Symp. 208: 267 (1983).
Faeth, S.H.; Bultman. Interacting effects of increased tannin levels on leaf-mining insects. Ent. Exp. and Appl. 40: 297 (1986).
Perrins, C.M. Possible effects of qualitative changes in the insect diet of avian predators. Ibis 118: 580 (1976).
Taper, M.L.; Zimmerman, E.M.; Case, T.J. Sources of mortality for a cynipid gall-wasp (Dryocosmus dubiosus (Hymentoptera: Cynipidae)): The importance of the tannin/fungus interaction. Oecologia 68: 437 (1986).
Luthy, P.; Hofmann, C.; Jaquet, F. Inactivation of delta-endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis by tannin. FEMS Microbiol. Letters 28: 31 (1985).
Keating, S.T.; Yendol, W.G. Influence of selected host plants on gypsy moth (Ledidoptera: Lymantriidae) larval mortality caused by a baculovirus. Environ. Entomol. 16: 459 (1987).
Keating, S.T.; Yendol, W.G.; Schultz, J.C. Relationship between susceptibility of gypsy moth larvae (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) to baculovirus and host plant foliage constituents. Environ. Entomol. (in press).
Felton, G.W.; Duffey, S.S.; Vail, P.V.; Kaya, H.K.; Manning, J. Interaction of nuclear polyhedrosis virus with catechols: potential incompatibility for host-plant resistance against noctuid larvae. J. Chem. Ecol. 13: 947 (1987).
Bernays, E.A.; Woodhead, S. Plant phenols utilized as nutrients by a phytophagous insect. Science 216: 201 (1982).
Ehrlich, P.R.; Raven, P.H. Butterflies and plants: a study in coevolution. Evolution 18: 586 (1964).
Schultz, J.C.; Lechowicz. Host plant, larval age and feeding behavior influence midgut pH in the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.), Oecologia 71: 133 (1986).
Dow, J.A.T. Insect midgut function. Adv. Insect Physiol. 19: 187 (1986).
Schultz, J.C.; Baldwin, I.T.; Nothnagle, P.J. Hemoglobin as a binding substrate in quantitative analysis of plant tannins. J. Agric. Food Chem. 29: 823 (1981).
Lawson, D.L.; Merritt, R.W.; Martin, M.M.; Martin, J.S.; and Kukor, J.J. The nutritional ecology of larvae of Alsophila pometaria and Anisota senatoria feeding on early-and late-season oak foliage. Ent. Exp. and Appl. 35: 105 (1984).
Berenbaum, M. Adaptive significance of midgut pH in larval Lepidoptera. Amer. Nat. 115: 138 (1980).
Martin, M.M.; Rockholm, D.C.; Martin, J.S. Effects of surfactants, pH, and certain cations on preciptation of proteins by tannins. J. Chem. Ecol. 11: 485 (1985).
Gould, S.J.; Lewontin, R.C. The spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian paradigm: a critique of the adaptationist programme. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B. 205: 581 (1979).
Martin, M.M.; Martin, J.S. Surfactants: their role in preventing the precipitation of proteins by tannins in insect guts. Oecologia 61: 342 (1984).
Martin, J.S.; Martin, M.M.; Bernays, E.A. Failure of tannic acid to inhibit digestion or reduce digestibility of plant protein in gut fluids of insect herbivores: implications for theories of plant defense. J. Chem. Ecol. 13: 605 (1987).
Turunen, S. Digestion and absorption of lipids in insects. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 63A: 455 (1979).
Asquith, T.; Mehansho, H.; Rogler, J.; Butler, L.G.; Carlson, D.M. Induction of proline-ridi protein biosynthesis in salivary glands by tannins. Fed. Proc. 44: 1097 (1985).
Schultz, J.C.; Keating, S.T. (unpublished results).
Swain, T.; Goldstein, J.L. The quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds. In: Pridham, J.B. (ed.) Methods in Polyphenol Chemistry, Pergamon Press, New York (1964).
Hagerman, A.E.; Butler, L.G. Choosing appropriate methods and standards for assaying tannin. J. Chem. Ecol. (in press).
Martin, J.S.; Martin, M.M. Tannin assays in ecological studies: lack of correlation between phenolics, proanthocyanidins and protein-precipitating constituents in mature foliage of six oak species. Oecologia 54: 205 (1982).
Hagerman, A.E. Extraction of tannin from fresh and preserved leaves. J. Chem. Ecol. 14: 453 (1988).
Schultz, J.C. (unpublished results).
Baldwin, I.T.; Schultz, J.C. Rapid damage-induced changes in tree leaf chemistry and evidence of communication between plants. Science 221: 277 (1984).
Wint, G.R.W. The effect of foliar nutrient upon the growth and feeding of lepidopteran larva. In: Lee, J.A.; McNeill, S.; Rorison, I.H. (eds.) Nitrogen as an Ecological Factor, Blackwell, London (1983).
Zummo, G.R.; Benedict, J.H.; Segers, J.C. No-choice study of plant-insect interactions for Heliothis zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on selected cottons. Environ. Entomol. 12: 1833 (1983).
Elliger, C.A.; Chan, B.G.; Waiss, Jr., A.C. Relative toxicity of minor cotton terpenoids compared to gossypol. J. Econ. Entomol. 71: 161 (1978).
Boughdad, A.; Gillon, Y.; Gagnepain, C. Influence des tanins condenses du tegument de feves (Vicia faba) sur le developpement larvaire de Callosobruchus maculates. Ent. Exp. and Appl. 42: 125 (1986).
Bryant, J.P.; Clausen, T.B.; Reichardt, P.B.; McCarthy, M.C.; Werner, R.A. Effect of nitogen fertilization upon the secondary chemistry and nutritional value of quaking aspen (Popalus tremuloides Michx.) leaves for the large aspen tortrix (Choristoneura conflictana (Walker)), Oecologia 73: 513 (1987).
Cooper-Driver, G.; Finch, S.; Swain, T.; Bernays, E.A. Seasonal variation in secondary plant compounds in relation to the palatability of Pteridium aquilinum. Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 5: 177 (1977).
Klocke, J.A.; Van Wagenen, B.; Balandrin, M.F. The ellagitannin geraniin and its hydrolysis products isolated as insect growth inhibitors from semi-arid land plants. Phytochemistry 25: 85 (1986).
Bergelson, J.; Fowler, S.; Hartley, S. The effects of foliage damage on casebearing moth larvae. Coleophora serratella, feeding on birch. Ecol. Entomol. 11: 241 (1986).
Haukioja, E.; Niemela, P.; Siren, S. Foliage phenols and nitrogen in relation to growth, insect damage, and ability to recover after defoliation in the mountain birch Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa, Oecologia 65: 214 (1985).
Kawanishi, K.; Raffauf, R.F. Caryocar microcarpum: an ant repellent and fish poison of the Northwest Amazon. J. Nat. Prod. 49: 1167 (1986).
Nichols-Orians, C.; Schultz, J.C. (unpublished results).
Seaman, F.C. The effects of tannin acid and other phenolics on the growth of the fungus cultivated by the leafcutting ant. Myrmicocrypta buenzlii. Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 12: 155 (1984).
Leszczynski, B.; Warchol, J.; Niraz, S. The influence of phenolic compounds on the preference of winter wheat cultivars by cereal aphids. Insect Sci. Applic. 6: 157 (1985).
Jones, C.G.; Firn, R.D. Some allelochemicals of Pteridium aquilinum and their involvement in resistance to Pieris brassicae. Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 8: 187 (1979).
Bennett, S.E. Tannic acid as a repellent and toxicant to alfalfa weevil larvzae. J. Econ. Entomol. 58: 372 (1965).
Schoonhoven, L.M.; Dersken-Koppers, I. Effects of secondary plant substances on drinking behaviour in some Heteroptera. Ent. Exp. and Appl. 16: 141 (1973).
Todd, G.W.; Getdium, A.; Cress, D.C. Resistance in barley to greenbug. Schizaphis graminum L. Toxicity of the phenolic and flavonoid compounds and related substances. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 64: 718 (1971).
Puttick, G.M. Utilization of evergreen and deciduous oaks by the California oak moth. Phryganidia californica, Oecologia 68: 589 (1986).
Chan, B.G.; Waiss, A.C.; Lukefahr, M. Condensed tannin, an antibiotic chemical from Gossypium hirsutum. J. Insect Physiol. 24: 113 (1978).
Smiley, J.T.; Wisdom, C.S. Determinants of growth rate on chemically heterogeneous host plants by specialist insects. Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 13: 305 (1985).
Ottosson, J.H.; Anderson, J.M. Seasonal and interspecific variation in the biochemical composition of some British fern species and their effects on Spodoptera littoralis larvae. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 19: 305 (1983).
Fox, L.R.; Macauley, B.J. Insect grazing on Eucalyptus in response to variation in leaf tannins and nitrogen. Oecologia 29: 145 (1977).
Yokoyama, V.Y.; Mackey, B.E. Protein and tannin in upper, middle, and lower cotton plant strata and cigarette beetle (Coleoptera:Anobüdae) growth on the foliage. J. Econ. Entomol. 80: 843 (1987).
Leather, S.R.; Watt, A.D.; Forrest, G.I. Insect-induced chemical changes in young lodgepole pine (Pinus contorts): the effect of previous defoliation on oviposition, growth and survival of the pine beauty moth. Panolis ftammea. Ecol. Entomol. 12: 275 (1987).
Mattson, W.J.; Slocum, S.S.; Koller, C.N. Spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) performance in relation to foliar chemistry of its host plants. U.S. For. Serv. Tech. Rpt. 85: 55 (1983).
Wagner, M.R.; Blake, E.A. Western spruce budworm consumption - effects of host species and foliage chemistry. U.S. For. Serv. Tech. Rpt. 85: 49 (1983).
Cates, R.G.; Redak, R.A.; Henderson, C.B. Patterns in defensive natural product chemistry: interactions. A CS Symp. 208: 3 (1983).
Coley, P.D. Herbivory and defensive characteristics of tree species in a lowland tropical forest. Ecol. Monogr. 53: 209 (1983).
Schmitt, M.D.C.; Czapowskyj, M.M.; Allen, D.C.; White, E.H.; Montgomery, M.E. Spruce budworm fecundity and foliar chemistry: influence of site. U.S. For. Serv. Tech. Rpt. 85: 97 (1983).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1989 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Schultz, J.C. (1989). Tannin-Insect Interactions. In: Hemingway, R.W., Karchesy, J.J., Branham, S.J. (eds) Chemistry and Significance of Condensed Tannins. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-7511-1_26
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-7511-1_26
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-7513-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-7511-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive