Abstract

Simple Summary

   Aglais urticae (Lepidoptera, Nymphalid) is a common butterfly
   distributed in temperate regions worldwide. The nettle Urtica cannabina
   (Urticaceae) is key to the survival of the small tortoiseshell, which
   provides its primary food source. This species is also a toxic plant
   listed in the Chinese Flora Atlas database, as it has poisonous roots
   and leaves. However, the phytophagous insect has evolved different
   adaptations against the plant′s defense system. This study aims to
   identify the genes linked to feeding strategies and adaptations of
   Aglais urticae’s larval feeding preference and detoxifying mechanism,
   and it may serve as an approach to help us understand the molecular
   process of its in vivo detoxification and find its related genes.
   Overall, these results provide the basis for future work on the
   detoxification and development of phytophagous insects by identifying
   the detoxification mechanism of A. urticae and their
   development-related genes in holometabolous insects.

Abstract

   Herbivorous insects and host plants have developed a close and complex
   relationship over a long period of co-evolution. Some plants provide
   nutrients for insects, but plants’ secondary metabolites also influence
   their growth and development. Urtica cannabina roots and leaves are
   poisonous, yet Aglais urticae larvae feed on them, so we aimed to
   clarify the mechanism enabling this interaction. At present, studies on
   the detoxification mechanism of the A. urticae are rare. In our study,
   first, we used the A. urticae larval odor selection behavior bioassay
   and choice feeding preference assay to analyze the feeding preferences