Palatability and feeding preferences of Uresiphita maorialis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) for three Sophora species |
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| Authors: | EA Mundaca EC Macaya HA Vargas |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Escuela de Agronomía, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Católica del Maule, Curicó, Chileemundaca@ucm.cl;3. Laboratorio de Estudios Algales ALGALAB, Departamento de Oceanografía, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile;4. Departamento de Recursos Ambientales, Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile |
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| Abstract: | In a three-hour bioassay, we tested the palatability and feeding preferences of Uresiphita maorialis (kōwhai moth) for Sophora tetraptera, Sophora microphylla and Sophora prostrata. Palatability tests showed no differences among the Sophora species. Feeding preferences, on the other hand, showed that S. tetraptera and S. microphylla leaves are preferred over S. prostrata leaves. Our results support our field observations in Wellington city parks and gardens showing that S. tetraptera and S. microphylla plants frequently have higher densities of larvae than S. prostrata. |
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| Keywords: | host plant multi-choice New Zealand Sophora microphylla Sophora prostrata Sophora tetraptera |
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