Factors Influencing Host Plant Choice and Larval Performance in Bactericera cockerelli

Abstract

Among the many topics of interest to ecologists studying associations between phytophagous insects and their host plants are the influence of natal host plant on future oviposition decisions and the mechanisms of generalist versus specialist host selection behavior. In this study, we examined the oviposition preferences, behavior and larval development of the tomato/potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli. By rearing psyllids with two distinct geographically-linked haplotypes on different host plants, we were able to examine the role of natal host plant and potential local adaptation on host plant usage. Choice bioassays among three host species demonstrated that psyllids from California had clear preferences that were influenced by natal plant. We further found that patterns in choice bioassays corresponded to observed feeding and movement responses. No-choice bioassays demonstrated that there is little to no association between development and host-plant choice for oviposition, while also indicating that host choice varies between haplotypes. These findings support the concept that mothers do not always choose oviposition sites optimally and also add support for the controversial Hopkins' host selection principle.

Survival and development of potato psyllid (Hemiptera: Triozidae) on Convolvulaceae: effects of a plant-fungus symbiosis (Periglandula)

“…The haplotypes did differ in development rates on species allowing development, with psyllids of the Central haplotype developing more rapidly than psyllids of the Northwestern haplotype. Other studies have shown that haplotypes of potato psyllid differ in biological traits, including settling and oviposition behavior [68], development rates [25], body size [24, 25], and composition of endosymbiont communities [27]. The Central haplotype developed more rapidly on cultivated and weedy Solanaceae than psyllids of the Northwestern haplotype [25], which is consistent with our observations.…”

Taste sensitivity and divergence in host plant acceptance between adult females and larvae ofPapilio hospiton

“…Some authors support strongly the performancepreference hypothesis, predicting that females will maximize chances of success for their offspring by choosing those host plants for oviposition on which their larvae perform best (Jaenike, 1978;Gripenberg et al, 2010). Other authors argue instead that females do not always lay eggs on the plant species on which their offspring grows and survives, and on which their performance is best (Prager et al, 2014;Konig et al, 2016). Several explanations for such a lack of positive correlation between oviposition preference and larval growth performance have been suggested: for example, the rarity of the optimal host plant (Wicklund & Friberg, 2009), or the fact that egg-laying females could be oriented to maximize their performance, rather than that of their progeny (Mayhew, 1997).…”

Newly emerged workers of the stingless bee Scaptotrigona aff. depilis prefer stored pollen to fresh pollen

“…This suggests that the influence of odor substances during preimaginal stages might be linked to an intimate contact with such substances, like feeding on it. Indeed, several adult holometabolous insects shows a strong preference for oviposit on plants at which they fed during their larval stages (Blackiston et al 2008;Anderson et al 2013;Prager et al 2014), showing that there is associative learning during larval stages.…”