Field studies of the host range of the citrus blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae).
Dowell R. V., Howard F. W., Cherry R. H., Fitzpatrick G. E.
Author Affiliation: Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, Florida University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA.
Canadian Entomologist 111 : 1-6
Abstract : Potted plants of 19 species that have been reported to support development of Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby were placed within 1 m of infested citrus trees in the field in Florida in September-December 1977 to test their attractiveness to ovipositing adult females of the aleyrodid. Three plants (mango, pink trumpet (Tabebuia pallida) and kumquat (Fortunella sp.)) were as attractive as citrus to ovipositing females at low densities. Oviposition took place on all but 5 of the remaining 16 plant species. There was a significant positive correlation between the attractiveness of various of the plants in the test and the occurrence of A. woglumi on them in the field. The range of food-plants used increased with increasing density of aleyrodid populations. Oviposition on preferred food-plants took place at all aleyrodid densities and was independent of their frequency in the environment. Adults appeared to be attracted to plant material reflecting light in the 500-600 nm range, and this appeared to be the only long-range attractant operating.