Abstract:
The growth characteristics of alligator weed,
Alternanthera philoxeroides, and the larvae development and adult feeding habit of
Agasicles hygrophila under elevated atmospheric CO
2 were investigated.Three CO
2 concentrations, i.e., 420, 550 and 750
μL·L
-1, were applied in a closed chamber for the experiment.It was found that
A.philoxeroides grew faster at higher CO
2 concentrations.On the 42
nd day, the heights of the weeds were 35.60 cm and 40.04 cm at 550
μL·L
-1 CO
2 and 750
μL·L
-1 CO
2, respectively.As compared to that of control (19.83 cm), the weed height was 1.75 times higher under 550
μL·L
-1 CO
2, and two times higher under 750
μL·L
-1 CO
2.In an elevated CO
2 environment, the leaves of the weeds showed increases on the SPAD, photosynthesis, soluble sugars, and C/N ratio, but decreases on the nitrogen-containing compounds (such as, proteins and amino acids) and the tannin content.When fed on
A.philoxeroides under elevated CO
2, the weight of
A.hygrophila larvae was higher than that of control, while the emerged adults, male or female, appeared to prefer
A.philoxeroides grown under 750
μL·L
-1 CO
2.