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High oviposition rate of Dasineura marginemtorquens on Salix viminalis genotypes unsuitable for offspring survival
Author(s) -
Larsson Stig,
Glynn Carolyn,
Höglund Solveig
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
entomologia experimentalis et applicata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1570-7458
pISSN - 0013-8703
DOI - 10.1111/j.1570-7458.1995.tb02323.x
Subject(s) - biology , willow , midge , salix viminalis , host (biology) , population , salicaceae , botany , larva , leaf beetle , hymenoptera , horticulture , zoology , woody plant , ecology , demography , sociology
A short history of contact between Dasineura marginemtorquens and resistant genotypes of Salix viminalis has previously been suggested as an explanation for a poor correspondence between female oviposition preference and larval performance on certain host types. The discovery of resistant wild willows instigated a quest for an alternative hypothesis. This study presents data from laboratory and field experiments that were designed to detect variability in host preferences of individual members of the midge population. Field tests showed that the oviposition site choices of females followed the same random‐natured pattern as choices of females in laboratory situations. Ovipositing females did not distinguish between willow genotypes with very high or very low larval mortality. No differences in post‐alighting behavior of midges on the two willow types were discovered. Observations revealed that females usually remained and oviposited on the first plant with which they came into contact, regardless of genotype.