Environmental Entomology (1988) 17, 316-319

Michael J. Raupp, John H. Werren and Clifford S. Sadof (1988)
Effects of short-term phenological changes in leaf suitability on the survivorship, growth, and development of gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) larvae
Environmental Entomology 17 (2), 316-319
Abstract: In this report we examine the effects of short-term phenological changes in host suitability on the performance of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), larvae. The time frame examined was a 2-wk period during which most gypsy moth larvae hatch and feed in central Maryland. Oak supported high levels of survivorship for almost 2 wk, and beech remained suitable for young larvae for less than 1 wk; hickory and maple were intermediate. Larvae did not respond uniformly to chronological changes in foliage when fed leaves from different tree species. When fed oak, larvae tended to develop more slowly as the season progressed. This trend was less important for hickory. Also, differences in pupal weight were observed for female larvae fed different hosts-oak produced pupae of greater weight; this trend was less pronounced for male larvae. Phenological differences in host suitability may help explain associations of gypsy moth with particular tree species that are commonly observed in the field.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Clifford S. Sadof

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Lymantria dispar	Oak (Quercus)	U.S.A. (NE)
	Lymantria dispar	Beech (Fagus)	U.S.A. (NE)
	Lymantria dispar	Maple (Acer)	U.S.A. (NE)
	Lymantria dispar	Pecan/hickory (Carya)	U.S.A. (NE)