Differences in the probing behaviour of Elatobium abietinum feeding on Sitka and Norway spruces

The probing behaviour of Elatobium abietinum (Walk.) on the needles of Norway spruce and Sitka spruce was directly related to the stomatal frequency accompanied by heavy deposition of saliva, and multiple branching and divergence of the salivary sheath, all of which were associated with the impenetrability of the endodermis. On Norway spruce these features were very greatly reduced where there was a higher rate of probing coupled with a higher rate of penetration into the phloem, which was not accompanied by early uptake of phloem sap when compared with aphids on Sitka spruce. These differences in probing behaviour are related to damage symptoms exhibited by the host trees.