Behavioral responses of Homalodisca vitripennis (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) on four Vitis genotypes

Pierce's disease is a major threat to the California grape industry. The disease-causing bacterium Xylella fastidiosa is vectored by a number of leafhoppers including Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Experiments were conducted to study H. vitripennis preference, feeding, and survivorship in response to four Vitis genotypes. Plants of V. vinifera ('Chardonnay'), V. girdiana, V. candicans, and a V. rupestris x V. arizonica/candicans hybrid (D8909-17) were grown in pots in the greenhouse and transferred to laboratory conditions for experiments with field-collected H. vitripennis. A choice test without prior insect acclimation on grapes revealed that H. vitripennis selected Chardonnay over V. candicans throughout the duration of the experiment, whereas a shift in preference between D8909-17 and V. girdiana was observed over time. In a second set of choice tests, which were preceded by an acclimation on one of the four grape genotypes, significant genotype, time, and acclimation x genotype effects were observed. Chardonnay was preferred over V. candicans independent of acclimation genotype. Although H. vitripennis confined on D8909-17 excreted 1.8-fold (dry-weight corrected) the amount of insects feeding on V. candicans, differences in the rate of excreta production per insect or insect dry weight were not significant among grape genotypes. Adult mortality was greatest on V. candicans when H. vitripennis were confined in parafilm sachets for excreta collection as well as in a no-choice test. Grape genotype affected the behavior of adult H. vitripennis under controlled conditions, which may influence Pierce's disease epidemiology under field conditions.     

Adult female and neonate larval plant preferences of the generalist herbivore, Epiphyas postvittana

The polyphagous leafroller moth, Epiphyas postvittana, is a pest of many fruit crops in New Zealand. Since the larva is highly mobile, host selection in this insect may involve both the adult female and the larva. In order to test the relative importance of the adult female and the neonate larva in the selection of host plants, the ovipositional preferences of females, and the preferences or acceptances of neonate larvae towards 26 plant species, consisting of 15 plants considered hosts and 11 not considered hosts, were investigated. In the ovipositional tests, the mean preferences of females for hosts and non-hosts were very similar. In contrast, larvae showed a significantly greater mean preference or acceptance towards hosts than to non-hosts, in both choice and no-choice bioassays, respectively. There were highly significant correlations between the preferences and acceptances of larvae for plants in the choice and no-choice tests. In the no-choice tests, there was a highly significant correlation between the acceptances of neonate larvae towards plants after one and three days (i.e., acceptances changed little over time). Moreover, in these no-choice tests, there was a significant negative correlation between larval acceptance at 1 day and larval mortality after 3 days; that is, the less acceptable a given plant at 1 day, the more likely larvae would fail to establish, feed, and survive on it by three days. Female and larval preferences towards the various plants were also negatively correlated. Together, these data suggest that the selection of a plant for the neonate larva to feed on is largely governed by the preferences of the larva, rather than by the preferences of the female. However, selection of a plant for oviposition by the female, may be important in host selection for reasons unrelated to larval preferences, for example, by encouraging dispersal, perhaps to other plant species, of the neonate larvae and thereby decreasing intersibling competition.     

Host-plant use in the range expansion of the pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa

Abstract.  1. During range expansions of phytophagous insects, secondary or novel hosts may allow colonisation of areas without primary hosts. Because plant species often differ in their relative attractiveness and suitability for insects, insect preference for, and performance on, these hosts can determine recruitment potential in the current and future expansion areas.
2. This study explores the relative roles of female preference and larval performance in an important pine defoliator, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera, Notodontidae), which colonises three Pinus species at its current range margin in the Italian Alps: P. nigra (primary host), P. sylvestris (secondary host), and P. mugo (novel host).
3. Host use patterns in multiple insect populations were studied through choice and no-choice oviposition experiments in cages, field surveys of mixed stands, and laboratory and field monitoring of larval growth and mortality. It was predicted that a specific life-history trait – time limitation of short-lived females to lay a single batch of eggs – would act as a component of female performance, and lead to similar rates of host acceptance in no-choice settings.
4. In the choice experiment, P. nigra was accepted the most frequently while P. sylvestris was accepted the least frequently, confirming nest density patterns in the field. Contrary to prediction, females remained discriminating in no-choice settings in spite of time limitation. In contrast, relative growth rate (RGR) and mortality of larvae did not differ significantly among the three hosts, highlighting a discrepancy between female preference and larval performance.
5. Recruitment potential of T. pityocampa in future expansion into stands of P. sylvestris and P. mugo is evaluated by combining host quality, conservatism in oviposition behaviour, habitat suitability, and the opportunity for local adaptation.     

A comparison of methodologies for the assessment of host preference of the gregarious egg parasitoid Trichogramma platneri

The innate preference of Trichogramma platneri for the eggs of six host species (Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens), Cydia pomonella (L.), Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller), Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), Manduca sexta (L.), and Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier)) was evaluated as the first host accepted by an individual female parasitoid when eggs were presented simultaneously. Selective exploitation of the same hosts by T. platneri was evaluated in no-choice, paired-choice, and multiple-choice tests, using number of parasitoids emerged, proportion of female offspring, and proportion of time spent on host eggs as different measures of preference. T. platneri showed a strong innate preference for C. pomonella and M. sexta. H. zea and M. sexta were the most preferred hosts and S. cerealella the least preferred, in the no-choice and choice tests. The number of progeny emerged and proportion of female offspring were equally suitable measures of host preference for T. platneri. Although no-choice and choice tests provided very similar preference ranking for T. platneri, a polyphagous species, the no-choice tests appeared poorer at separating hosts that were close in rank and multiple-choice tests were considered likely to be more realistic for more specialized control agents.     

The influence of prior experience on preference and performance of a cryptoparasitoid Scleroderma guani (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) on beetle hosts

1. Numerous studies have reported the effects of learning or experience on parasitoid host preference and location. However, the integration of pre‐imaginal and adult experiences on the subsequent host preference and adult/offspring performance has been rarely tested in host–parasite interactions. 2. We present direct evidence that theses two kinds of experiences affect host preference and related fitness in the polyphagous parasitoid, Scleroderma guani. Two colonies of parasitoids were reared on Monochamus alternatus and Saperda populnea (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae). Individuals from the two colonies were given host‐switching experience for one generation (pre‐imaginal experience) while other individuals were given prior ovipositing experience on the two species, respectively (adult experience). 3. Scleroderma guani females demonstrated that their experiences determined adult behavioural responses and their subsequent performance to hosts. Females maximised both adult fitness (fecundity and longevity) and offspring fitness (survival and sex ratio) when they encountered hosts similar to their maternal hosts. Behavioural plasticity in host choice was affected by adult experience, resulting in improved adult feeding and ovipositing behaviour and further modifying adult fecundity and the offspring sex ratio. There was a positive correlation between oviposition preference and adult fecundity. 4. The results indicated that S. guani exhibited positive preference–performance correlations. This is most likely due to an adaptation to maternal hosts over multiple generations. However, foraging potential of adults to available cues from hosts may be driven quickly by an experience‐induced learning process rather than by natural selection processes shaped over many generations.     

Biology,host preferences and fitness of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oulema melanopus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a recent invasive pest in Western Canada

The developmental parameters and fitness of a recent invasive insect pest of cereals in western Canada, the cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopus (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), were compared on live plants and excised leaves of commercial cultivars of potential cereal hosts including wheat (winter and spring), oats, barley, corn, rye and triticale. Host preference and utilization within the fundamental host range of O. melanopus differed. The biological parameters differed significantly when the larvae were reared on excised tissues versus on live host plants. In both studies, wheat (winter and spring), oat (cv. Morgan) and barley were the most preferred hosts in terms of development, survivorship, adult weights and fecundity. Prolonged development with low fitness gains was noted on corn. Although the development on hosts such as rye and triticale was prolonged and adult fitness was low, the survivorship was high on these hosts. Hence, these crops can act as secondary hosts for the beetle in its new eco-region. Larvae fed foliage of Waldern, a local oat cultivar, had increased developmental time and lower survivorship compared with other cereal hosts. Despite differences in fitness gains among hosts, similar numbers of eggs were laid on all hosts. Hence, the oviposition choice of O. melanopus may not be driven by fitness gains alone and it may indicate adaptive strategy to hosts in newer environments.     

A Bird in the Hand Versus Two in the Bush? The Specialist Leafhopper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dalbulus maidis</Emphasis> (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Does Not Discriminate Against Sub-optimal Host Plants (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea</Emphasis> spp.)

The corn leafhopper [Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott)] is a specialist on Zea (Poaceae) that coevolved with maize (Zea mays mays) and its teosinte (Zea spp.) relatives. This study tested the hypothesis that host acceptance by females varies among Zea hosts, and is correlated with variation in defensive levels across those hosts. Prior studies revealed differences in plant defenses among Zea hosts and corresponding differences in corn leafhopper performance. Thus, host acceptance was expected to be correlated with defensive levels and offspring performance across Zea hosts, following the hypothesis that offspring performance mediates host preference. In parallel, host acceptance was expected to be correlated with transitions in life history strategy (perennial to annual life cycle), domestication status (wild to domesticated), and breeding intensity (landrace to hybrid variety) in Zea because variation in defensive levels and corn leafhopper performance were shown in prior studies to be correlated with those transitions. The study’s hypotheses were tested by comparing, under no-choice conditions, host acceptance by corn leafhopper of a suite of Zea hosts encompassing those transitions: perennial teosinte (Zea diploperennis), Balsas teosinte (Zea mays parviglumis), and landrace and commercial hybrid maize. The results did not show differences in host acceptance for oviposition or feeding among the hosts. Thus, under no-choice conditions, all Zea hosts may be similarly acceptable for feeding and oviposition, despite marked ovipositional preferences under choice conditions and poorer offspring performance on teosintes relative to maize shown previously. The results suggested also that oviposition frequency per plant by females was not correlated with their offspring’s performance.     

Do assortative mating and immigrant inviability help maintain population genetic structuring of an herbivore on a crop and a wild relative?

Population genetic structuring is common among herbivorous insects and frequently is associated with divergent host plants, such as crops and their wild relatives. Previous studies showed population genetic structuring in corn leafhopper Dulbulus maidis in Mexico, such that the species consists of two sympatric, host plant-associated populations: an abundant and widespread "pestiferous” population on maize (Zea mays mays), and a small and localized "wild" population on perennial teosinte (Zea diploperennis). a maize wild relative with a limited distribution. This study addressed whether assortative mating and immigrant inviability mediate genetic structuring of corn leafliopper by comparing the mating and reproductive successes of pestiferous and wild females that colonize their nonassociated host plants against the successes of females colonizing their associated host plants. Assortative mating was assessed by comparing mating frequencies and premating and mating times among females of each population on each host plant: immigrant inviability was assessed by comparing, across two generations, the fecundity, survival, development time, sex ratio, and population growth rate among leafhopper populations and host plants. Our results showed that on maize, and compared to resident, pestiferous females, wild females were more likely to mate, and greater proportions of their offspring survived to adult stage and were daughters;consequently, the per-generation population growth rate on maize was greater for immigrant, wild leafhoppers compared to resident, pestiferous leafhoppers. Our results suggested that wild leafhoppers emigrating to maize have a fitness advantage over resident, pestiferous leafhoppers, while immigrant pestiferous and resident wild leafhoppers on teosinte have similar fitnesses.     

Offspring performance and female preference of Pagiophloeus tsushimanus (coleoptera: curculionidae) on three Lauraceae tree species: A potential risk of host shift caused by larval experience

The weevil Pagiophloeus tsushimanus Morimoto (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), native to Eastern Asia, is a wood-boring pest that causes severe damage to camphor trees (Cinnamomum sp.) in Shanghai, China. Other Lauraceae tree species that grew sympatrically with this pest in close proximity could face a potential threat. To assess the potential risks of host shift, we explored the phenotypic associations between preference and performance in P. tsushimanus reared on three Lauraceae tree species. In a no-choice experiment offering branches of each plant as diet material and oviposition sites, we found that individuals reared on Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl (Laurales: Lauraceae) exhibited the strongest performance with shorter development time, higher survival and growth rate in the immature stage, longer longevity and greater fecundity in adults. In contrast, those on novel Lauraceae tree species (Cinnamomum chekiangensis Nakai and Phoebe chekiangensis Shang) had difficulty completing their whole life cycle due to significantly lower survival and reproduction. In a multiple-choice experiment, C. camphora was established as the preferred host. However, we found that the larval experiences on the non-preferred host plants contributed to an increased preference for that plant species. These results indicated that both the preference-performance hypothesis and the Hopkins’ host selection principle are applicable in this weevil under experimental conditions. It is possible that although the weevil performed poorly on two novel Lauraceae tree species, under favourable conditions their surviving offspring could evolve into a new host-specific population. Consequently, this weevil pest needs to be monitored on these novel Lauraceae tree species.     

Relationship between adult and larval host plant selection and larval performance in the generalist moth, Trichoplusia ni

Adult oviposition preferences are expected to correlate with host plant suitability for the development of their offspring. For most lepidopteran species, this is particularly important as the hatching neonate larvae of many species are relatively immobile. Thus, the site of oviposition chosen by a female adult can greatly influence the probability of survival for her offspring. In the present study, we investigated the oviposition preference of adult Trichoplusia ni moths for six plant species to determine whether they could accurately rank the suitability of the plants for larval development. We also compared oviposition preferences to neonate larval acceptance and preference to determine whether the adult host range matched that of larval diet breath. Our results indicate that in two-choice and no-choice tests adult T. ni were able to rank the plants accurately, with the exception of anise hyssop. However, when given a choice of all six plants together, they laid more eggs on a plant that was not suitable for larval survival. Larvae accepted and fed on all plants in no-choice tests, and accurately ranked them according to larval performance. We conclude that neonate larvae are better able than adults to rank plants according to larval performance, and that larval diet breadth is wider than the range of plants accepted by adults. We also provide a discussion of the reduced accuracy of adult oviposition preference with increased plant choices.     

Host plant selection and development in Spodoptera exigua: do mother and offspring know best?

We examined the ovipositional preference and larval development of Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on two common hosts in southern California, Chenopodium murale L. (Chenopodiaceae) and Apium graveolens L. (Umbelliferae) to determine if female oviposition preference is correlated with offspring performance. Greenhouse oviposition choice tests indicated that S. exigua oviposit more frequently on C. murale than on A. graveolens. However under laboratory conditions, larvae reared on C. murale had longer development times, lower relative growth rate, and lower survivorship than larvae reared on A. graveolens. larval and pupal masses were significantly greater on A. graveolens than on C. murale. Furthermore, pupal masses were significantly greater for individuals reared on A. graveolens than on C. murale. Because pupal masses and adult fecundity are positively correlated for Spodoptera spp., the fitness of S. exigua on A. graveolens is likely to be substantially higher than its fitness on C. murale. Despite better larval performance on A. graveolens, previous results from choice tests with whole plants and leaf discs indicate that the highly mobile S. exigua larvae strongly prefer C. murale over A. graveolens. Hypotheses attempting to explain this lack of correlation between larval and adult host preference versus development and survival in this system are discussed.     

Choice versus no-choice test interpretation and the role of biology and behavior in parasitoid host specificity tests

The need to improve methods and interpretation of host specificity tests for arthropod natural enemies has been clearly identified, yet there remains a paucity of empirical evidence upon which to base recommendations. Factors influencing test outcomes and the mechanisms underlying them must be understood so they can be controlled, and test results can be interpreted correctly. In this study, an established exotic host/parasitoid system was used to assess the outcomes and predictive accuracy of no-choice compared to paired choice tests within small laboratory arenas. Host acceptance by two egg parasitoids, Enoggera nassaui and Neopolycystus insectifurax (Pteromalidae), was interpreted in light of percent parasitism, offspring sex ratios and observed parasitoid behavior. No-choice tests showed that the four host species, Paropsis charybdis, Dicranosterna semipunctata, Trachymela catenata and Trachymela sloanei (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) were within the physiological host ranges of both parasitoids. The results of paired choice tests with the first three species supported this interpretation, with two exceptions. Trachymela catenata eggs were not accepted by E. nassaui and were accepted significantly less often by N. insectifurax when compared to no-choice tests. Both test designs predicted that D. semipunctata is within the ecological host range of the two parasitoid species, whereas field evidence suggests this is a false positive result. Percent parasitism of all hosts was higher in no-choice compared to choice tests and was predictive of rank order of host preference in choice tests. Presence of the most preferred host did not increase attack on lower ranked hosts. Offspring sex ratios of E. nassaui were independent of host preference. In contrast, N. insectifurax allocated more females to P. charybdis and mostly males to D. semipunctata and T. catenata. The results support our assertion that both no-choice and choice tests along with detailed behavioral studies should be conducted for correct interpretation of pre-release host specificity tests. This will enable more accurate predictions of parasitoid host ranges and risks parasitoids may pose to non-target organisms in the field.     

Choosing between good and better: optimal oviposition drives host plant selection when parents and offspring agree on best resources

Insect preferences for particular plant species might be subjected to trade-offs among several selective forces. Here, we evaluated, through laboratory and field experiments, the feeding and ovipositing preferences of the polyphagous leafminer Liriomyza?huidobrensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in relation to adult and offspring performance and enemy-free space. Female leafminers preferred laying their eggs on Vicia?faba (Fabaceae) over Beta?vulgaris var. cicla (Chenopodiaceae), in both laboratory and field choice experiments, although no oviposition preference was observed in no-choice tests. Females fed more often on B.?v.?var.?cicla (no-choice test) or showed no feeding preference (choice test), even when their realized fecundity was remarkably higher on V.?faba. Offspring developed faster, tended to survive better, and attained bigger adult size on the preferred host plant. Also, a field experiment showed higher overall parasitism rates for leafminers developing on B.?v.?var.?cicla, with a nonsignificant similar tendency in field surveys. According to these results, host plant selection by L.?huidobrensis appears to be driven mainly by variation in host quality. Moreover, the consistent oviposition choices for the best host and the labile feeding preferences observed here, suggest that host plant selection might be driven by maximization of offspring fitness even without a conflict of interest between parents and offspring. Overall, these results highlight the complexity of decisions performed by phytophagous insects regarding their host plants, and the importance of simultaneous evaluation of the various driving forces involved, in order to unravel the adaptive significance of female choices.     

Oviposition,larval preference,and larval performance in two polyphagous species: does the larva know best?

It is expected that females preferentially oviposit on plant hosts that allow for optimal larval performance. However, this expectation contradicts empirical evidence where adults do not always choose the best host for their descendants. Recent evidence suggests that females’ host selection depends on the number of potential hosts. Females from oligophagous species seem to be able to choose an appropriate host in terms of larval performance, whereas in polyphagous species, adult oviposition preference is not related with larval performance. This suggests that larvae in polyphagous species could be taking a more active role in host selection than their mothers. Here, we evaluated the oviposition preference and the larval preference and performance of two polyphagous species of economic importance, Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Cuculliinae) and Peridroma saucia (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae), on eight species of cultivated plants. In laboratory and greenhouse choice assays, we tested adult preference for oviposition and larval preference at 1 and 24 h. Larval performance was measured in terms of survival to adulthood, length of larval period, and pupal weight. We found that both adult females and larvae actively choose their hosts and that the larval preference toward the hosts is related to the females’ preference in both herbivore species. However, the females and larvae did not preferentially select the host with the best larval performance, indicating that larval performance is not related to female or larval preference and that other selective pressures are influencing the choice of the host plant in these two species.     

Effects of citrus and avocado irrigation and nitrogen-form soil amendment on host selection by adult Homalodisca vitripennis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Host plant water status is thought to influence dispersal of the xylophagous leafhopper Homalodisca vitripennis Germar, especially where plants are grown under high evaporative demand. Preference by adult H. vitripennis for plants grown under different water deficit and nitrogen form fertilization regimens was studied under laboratory conditions. Leafhopper abundance and ovipositional preference were studied on potted 'Washington navel' orange and 'Haas' avocado in cage choice tests, and feeding rate was estimated using excreta produced by insects confined on plants. A similar study compared responses to citrus treated with 1:1 and 26:1 ratios of fertigated nitrate-N to ammonium-N. The insects were more abundant, oviposited, and fed significantly more on surplus-irrigated plants than on plants under moderate continuous deficit irrigation except avocado feeding, which was nearly significant. Plants exposed to drought became less preferred after 3 and 7 d in avocado and citrus, respectively. Citrus xylem fluid tension at this point was estimated at 0.93 MPa. A corresponding pattern of decline in feeding rate was observed on citrus, but on avocado, feeding rate was low overall and not statistically different between treatments. No statistical differences in abundance, oviposition, or feeding were detected on citrus fertigated with 26:1 or 1:1 ratios of nitrate-N to ammonium-N. Feeding occurred diurnally on both plant species. Discussion is provided on the potential deployment of regulated deficit irrigation to manage H. vitripennis movement as part of a multitactic effort to minimize the risk of disease outbreaks from Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. in southern California agriculture.     

Influence of adult diet on fitness and reproductive traits of the egg parasitoid Anagrus virlai (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), a potential biocontrol agent against the corn leafhopper

Dalbulus maidis is the most important leafhopper pest of maize in the Americas. Anagrus virlai is an egg parasitoid commonly associated with the corn leafhopper. We evaluated whether the performance of A. virlai is dependent on different diets provided during 24 hr or throughout adult female lifetime. Additionally, functional response of A. virlai on D. maidis eggs using maize leaves containing honeydew plus honey was described. A. virlai is a mostly pro-ovigenic autogenic species whose females are able to parasitize eggs immediately after emergence. We found that wasps oviposit the majority of their eggs in the first day of their adult life. Realized lifetime fecundity and lifetime potential fecundity did not differ significantly among treatments, but longevity and egg production increased when honey was added to diet. Data were consistent with an intermediate functional response between type II and III, but closer to type II, indicating a high parasitism rate at low host densities and a decrease in the oviposition rate at high host densities, due to a possible egg limitation. Our results suggest that carbohydrate food sources (honeydew and honey) might not be the factor limiting reproductive success during the first 24 hr. Food supply, however, might influence egg maturation and survivorship of wasps, thus potentially enhancing biological pest control when hosts are scarce in the course of the first few days of adulthood.     

Beet leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) transmits the Columbia Basin potato purple top phytoplasma to potatoes, beets, and weeds

Experiments were conducted to determine whether the beet leafhopper, Circulifer tenellus (Baker) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), transmits the purple top phytoplasma to potato, Solanum tuberosum L.; beets, Beta vulgaris L.; and selected weed hosts. The beet leafhopper-transmitted virescence agent (BLTVA) phytoplasma was identified as the causal agent of the potato purple top disease outbreaks that recently occurred in the Columbia Basin of Washington and Oregon. The phytoplasma previously was found to be associated almost exclusively with the beet leafhopper, suggesting that this insect is the probable vector of BLTVA in this important potato-growing region. Eight potato cultivars, including 'Russet Burbank', 'Ranger Russet', 'Shepody', 'Umatilla Russet', 'Atlantic', 'FL-1879', 'FL-1867', and 'FL-1833', were exposed for a week to BLTVA-infected beet leafhoppers. After exposure, the plants were maintained outdoors in large cages and then tested for BLTVA by using polymerase chain reaction after 6 to 7 wk. The leafhoppers transmitted BLTVA to seven of the eight exposed potato cultivars. Sixty-four percent of the exposed plants tested positive for the phytoplasma. In addition, 81% of the BLTVA-infected potato plants developed distinct potato purple top disease symptoms. Beet leafhoppers also transmitted BLTVA to beets and several weeds, including groundsel, Senecio vulgaris L.; shepherd's purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik); kochia, Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad; and Russian thistle, Salsola kali L. This is the first report of transmission of BLTVA to potatoes, beets, and the above-mentioned four weed species. Results of the current study prove that the beet leafhopper is a vector of the potato purple top disease.     

Arid-adapted Mexican leafhopper, Barela parvisaccata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), unsuitable for biocontrol of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) in South Africa

A host specificity study conducted in South Africa between 2000 and 2004 showed that the leafhopper, Barela parvisaccata Young, performed as well on some of the indigenous Lippia spp. as on the target weed Lantana camara L. During adult no-choice tests, B. parvisaccata reproduced on eight species of the two closely related genera, Lantana and Lippia. Although B. parvisaccata has a restricted host range, its reproductive performance on the indigenous Lippia scaberrima Sond. during the adult multiple-choice tests was unacceptably high. It was therefore concluded that B. parvisaccata was not sufficiently host-specific to be released against L. camarara in Africa.     

Differences in host selection and performance between B and Q putative species of Bemisia tabaci on three host plants

B and Q are two putative species of the Bemisia tabaci complex (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and are among the most invasive and destructive pests of crops and horticultural plants worldwide. In China, Q predominates and is displacing B. Although researchers have proposed that the higher capacity of Q to utilize host plants plays an important role in its replacement of B, there are few relevant field surveys and experimental studies. The difference in host assessment between B and Q in multiple‐choice rather than in no‐choice situations may be essential to understanding the displacement. Here, we compared settling and oviposition preferences, and adult and nymph performance, for the putative species B and Q of the B. tabaci complex on three common host species: poinsettia [Euphorbia pulcherrima Wild. ex Klotsch (Euphorbiaceae)], cotton [Gossypium hirsutum L. (Malvaceae)], and cabbage [Brassica oleracea L. (Brassicaceae)]. Although the preferred hosts for settling and oviposition were the same as those that supported maximum fitness (adult longevity, fecundity, and nymph survivorship), these hosts differed between B and Q. When given a choice, B preferred to settle and oviposit on cabbage over poinsettia and cotton, whereas Q preferred to settle and oviposit on poinsettia and cotton over cabbage. In a no‐choice experiment, adult longevity, fecundity, and nymphal survival for B were greater on cabbage than on poinsettia and cotton, but the opposite was true for Q.     

Covariance of preference and performance on normal and novel hosts in a locally monophagous and locally polyphagous butterfly population

Covariance between preference and performance was quantified for Papilio glaucus strains derived from a locally monophagous Florida population and a locally polyphagous Ohio population. I used two-choice assays to assess relative host preferences of mothers for plant species that represent reciprocal normal and novel hosts for each population (i.e., Liriodendron tulipifera and Magnolia virginiana) and a split-brood design to quantify relative performance of their progeny on each host. Covariance between preference and proxies of performance was detected independently within each population, which is a level of genetic structure at which such covariance has rarely been documented. These results support the hypothesis that preference-performance covariance can exist in populations that have no obvious internal host-associated structure. In the Ohio strain, all proxies of performance (larval duration, pupal mass, relative growth rate, and survival) were significantly correlated with relative preference for the normal host, L. tulipifera. In the Florida strain, however, only pupal mass was correlated with maternal preference, and this correlation was not in the direction expected. Progeny that attained the heaviest mass were derived from mothers that preferred L. tulipifera, the locally rare host. The nature of the preference-performance links was not in the manner predicted by conventional optimal oviposition theory, whereby host-associated tradeoffs have been considered an implicit element. Relative performance was congruent across hosts, regardless of whether mothers preferred L. tulipifera, M. virginiana, or neither host. After considering possible genetic and nongenetic explanations that could account for preference-performance covariance in P. glaucus, I conclude that this covariance has a genetic basis. Likely, multiple genetic control mechanisms (e.g., pleiotropy and co-adaptation) integrate at the level of different trait combinations and/or a particular trait combination to generate observed patterns.