The multiple strategies of an insect herbivore to overcome plant cyanogenic glucoside defence

Cyanogenic glucosides (CNglcs) are widespread plant defence compounds that release toxic hydrogen cyanide by plant β-glucosidase activity after tissue damage. Specialised insect herbivores have evolved counter strategies and some sequester CNglcs, but the underlying mechanisms to keep CNglcs intact during feeding and digestion are unknown. We show that CNglc-sequestering Zygaena filipendulae larvae combine behavioural, morphological, physiological and biochemical strategies at different time points during feeding and digestion to avoid toxic hydrolysis of the CNglcs present in their Lotus food plant, i.e. cyanogenesis. We found that a high feeding rate limits the time for plant β-glucosidases to hydrolyse CNglcs. Larvae performed leaf-snipping, a minimal disruptive feeding mode that prevents mixing of plant β-glucosidases and CNglcs. Saliva extracts did not inhibit plant cyanogenesis. However, a highly alkaline midgut lumen inhibited the activity of ingested plant β-glucosidases significantly. Moreover, insect β-glucosidases from the saliva and gut tissue did not hydrolyse the CNglcs present in Lotus. The strategies disclosed may also be used by other insect species to overcome CNglc-based plant defence and to sequester these compounds intact

Performing Knits

The broader intention of this work is to investigate knitted textiles as interactive pieces, where changeable qualities embedded in the knit design are activated through movement. The main objective is to provide a novel perspective of the role and perception of knitted materials in a performative context. Presenting a shift from previously seen static knitted material to incorporating knit design to create knitted pieces that have the opportunity to enhance and take part. Due to the moving body being an activator of the changeability embedded in the knitted textile design, the work has a strong connection to related fields such as contemporary dance and performance. The work is carried out through practice-based research, where experimentation both in terms of technical development of knit design and their performative possibilities are used to obtain knowledge. The interrelation between knit, changeability, performativity and movement are researched through a series of experiments. The result of this work provides a variety of knitted pieces, each with their unique properties in regards to changeability and performativity, as well as a film of a performance where one can experience the knitted pieces and their properties during movement.