Feeding Preference for Selected Tilia Spp. And Cultivars by the Adult Japanese Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Species and hybrids of Tilia are widely used in urban landscapes and as street trees. Planting Tiiia species that are less preferred by the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman) would greatly minimize the need for insecticide sprays, which would in turn reduce environmental contamination, human exposure, and management costs. Thus, a study was initiated to evaluate horticulturally desirable Tilia spp. for feeding preference by the adult Japanese beetle. A secondary objective of the study was to determine if leaf pubescence is a factor in feeding preference. The Asian species of T. petiolaris, T. oliveri, T. chinensis, and T. japonica show promise for partial resistance to Japanese beetle. Three North American species, T. americana, T. heterophylla, and T. caroliniana, also look promising along with the pubescent European species of T. tomentosa and T. tomentosa 'Erecta'.