The suitability of damaged willow leaves as food for the leaf beetle, Phgiodera versicolora |
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Authors: | MICHAEL J RAUPP ROBERT F DENNO |
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Institution: | Department of Entomology, University of Maryland |
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Abstract: | Abstract. 1. The effect of previous damage on the suitability of willow ( Mix bubylonicu and S.ulbu 'Tristis') leaves as food for the imported willow leaf beetle, Plugiodera versicoloru Laich. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), was evaluated by feeding adults and larvae leaves from damaged and undamaged branchlets. 2. Females had lower fecundity when fed leaves from artificially damaged branchlets of S.ufba 'Tristis'. A similar result was obtained when beetles ate leaves from naturally damaged branchlets of S.babylonica . 3. Feeding preference tests suggest that the reductions in leaf suitability were not due to adults avoiding damaged leaves as a food source. 4. PZugiodera versicolora larvae required longer to develop and attained a lower adult weight when fed leaves from damaged branchlets. 5. Changes in leaf suitability brought about by herbivore feeding may affect the seasonal abundance of P.versicoloru on its willow hosts. |
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Keywords: | Plugioderu versicoloru willows leaf suitability leaf damage herbivore life history traits Sufix bubyfonicu Sulix albu'Tristis' |
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