Willow hybrids and herbivory: a test of hypotheses of phytophage response to hybrid plants using the generalist leaf-feeder Lochmaea caprea (Chrysomelidae) |
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Authors: | Joakim Hjältén |
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Institution: | Department of Animal Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, S-901 83 Ume?, Sweden fax: +46-90-166817; e-mail: Joakim.Hjalten@szooek.slu.se, SE
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Abstract: | To test hypotheses of herbivore response to hybrid plants, I determined the preference of the generalist beetle Lochmeae capreae for individuals of Salix caprea, Salix phylicifolia and F1 hybrids between these species. F1 hybrids and pure individuals were created by hand-pollination of willow individuals
in the field. The preference tests were performed in 1994 and 1995 and in both years there was a tendency for higher leaf
area consumption from hybrids than from the parental species. However, statistically significant differences in consumption
were only found in 1995 between hybrids and S. phylicifolia. The result from this study therefore lends most support to the dominance hypothesis: hybrid susceptibility was similar to
that of one of the parental species. This is one of the first strict preference tests showing that a generalist herbivore
can detect differences in palatability between hybrids and parental species. Furthermore, the experimental design used in
the study minimized environmental variation. The results should therefore primarily reflect genetically based quality differences
between hybrids and parental species.
Received: 4 March 1996 / Accepted: 12 August 1996 |
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Keywords: | Willows Hybrids Beetles Preference Greenhouse |
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