Environmental Entomology (1996) 25, 58-62

Mary Ellen Dix, Richard A. Cunningham and Rudy M. Kings (1996)
Evaluating spring cankerworm (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) preference for Siberian elm clones
Environmental Entomology 25 (1), 58-62
Abstract: We evaluated the preferences of larval spring cankerworm, Paleacrita vernata (Peck), for 36 Siberian elm, Ulmus pumila L., clones in laboratory experiments. These clones were selected for superior morphological characteristics, apparent nonpreference by cankerworms, or possible disease resistance. First-instar larvae consumed less leaf area of clones 030, 053, 400, 422, and 425 than most of the other 31 clones evaluated, and more leaf area of clones 026, 038, 067, 406, 411, 11737, and to a lesser extent 23 other clones. Third- and 4th-instars were less selective in their choice of leaves. Trichome density apparently influenced leaf area consumed. Clones 030, 043, 050, 053, 400, 425, and 422 had more trichomes per leaf than the other clones. Leaf maturity preferences varied among elm clones; clones with expanding leaves were preferred over clones with more mature leaves. Larval survival on 050, 053, 400, and 425 was lower than most of the other clones. Techniques for comparing feeding preferences can be used in tree improvement programs of Siberian elm.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
resistance/tolerance/defence of host

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Paleacrita vernata	Elm (Ulmus)	U.S.A. (mid N)