Influence of host plant on fecundity of Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae).
Dowell R. V., Steinberg B.
Author Affiliation: 1681 Pebblewood Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833, USA.
Pan-Pacific Entomologist 66 : 62-65
Abstract : The fecundity of individuals of Aleurocanthus woglumi reared on Citrus spp., Ardisia solanacea, Mangifera indica [mango], Gardenia thunbergi, Eugenia uniflora and Eriobotrya japonica and then held as adults on C. paradisi [grapefruit] at 24-27°C was determined. The ovaries of females became functional within 24-36 h of adult eclosion. Egg development was synchronous and monotene, with all available eggs being deposited in each egg spiral. There were significant differences in the fecundity of females reared on different food plants, with those reared on Citrus spp. having the greatest fecundity (39.6 eggs/female), and those reared on E. japonica the least (8.3 eggs/female). Variation in fecundity appeared to be due to the food plant and not to differences in female survival or the percentage of females which oviposited. Fecundity was significantly correlated with nymphal survival among food plants, suggesting that both are influenced by the same food plant factors.