Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2007) 125, 1-12

Finbarr G. Horgan, Dan T. Quiring, Aziz Lagnaoui and Yvan Pelletier (2007)
Variable responses of tuber moth to the leaf trichomes of wild potatoes
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 125 (1), 1-12
Abstract: This study examines the response of tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), during the initial stages of attack, to variability in trichome density and composition on foliage of Solanum berthaultii (Hawkes) and Solanum tarijense (Hawkes) (Solanaceae). Solanum berthaultii bears two types of glandular trichome (type A and type B) that together reduced oviposition by the moth. Females were often completely deterred from ovipositing on foliage with >300 trichomes per cm². In contrast, neonate establishment on S. berthaultii was generally positively related to trichome densities, indicating that trichomes may be a poor defense against P. operculella when the moth oviposits in soil and neonate larvae select the host plant. Solanum tarijense has only one type of glandular trichome (type A) and eglandular hairs. Most eggs were deposited on the adaxial leaf surfaces that had lower trichome densities. Although the density of type A trichomes was negatively related to oviposition, high densities of hairs on the abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces appeared to stimulate oviposition, leading to stronger positive relations between hair densities and oviposition. Larvae generally established on the abaxial surface where hair densities were greatest. Relationships between the abaxial densities of leaf hairs and neonate establishment on S. tarijense were positive. The results indicate that the responses by P. operculella to the types and density of trichomes are complex. Whereas type A and type B trichomes may act synergistically to reduce oviposition by the moth, leaf hairs do not defend against oviposition and neither leaf hairs nor type A and B trichomes reduce neonate establishment by this herbivore species.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Finbarr G. Horgan, Dan T. Quiring, Aziz Lagnaoui

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
resistance/tolerance/defence of host
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phthorimaea operculella	Potato (Solanum tuberosum)