Formosan Entomologist (2003) 23, 291-303

I-Cheng Cheng, Rou-Lang Yang and Shwu-Bin Horng (2003)
[Interactions between host preference and offspring survivorship of Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.)]
Formosan Entomologist 23 (4), 291-303
Abstract: The aim of this study was to reveal the host-choice mechanism of the seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus, under a condition when different hosts are provided. Also we studied how female beetles select their hosts and whether this is related to the feeding demand of their larvae. Six different species of seeds including adzuki bean, hairy dumaisa, pigeon pea, soybean, mung bean, and maize, were used in our experiments, and both free-choice and non-choice tests were conducted. In the free-choice test, six different species of seeds were provided at the same time, while in the non-choice test, hosts of each species were provided separately. In the free-choice test, both the survivorship of offspring and the host size showed a positive relationship with the numbers of eggs laid on the seed. However, in the non-choice test, only the survivorship of offspring and the numbers of eggs laid showed a positive relationship, while there was no significant correlation between seed size and the numbers of eggs laid on the seed. Taken together, these results suggest, that the female can choose appropriate hosts for her offspring both in free-choice and non-choice test arenas, showing a positive relationship between host preference and survivorship of offspring in both tests. Comparison of the preference indices between free-choice and non-choice tests suggests that C. maculatus may use a relative rule to select a host on which to lay her eggs when different hosts are provided at the same time.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: Chinese)
Database assignments for author(s): Rou-Ling Yang, Shwu-Bin Horng

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.
	Callosobruchus maculatus	Stored legumes	Taiwan