Leaf feeding preferences in the monophagous saltbush flea beetle Nesaecrepida darwini (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)
2000
Verdyck, P. (University of Antwerp, Antwerpen (Belgium). Dept. Biology. Evolutionary Biology Group) | Desender, K.
In order to test for morphological differences between specimens of host plant (Cryptocarpus pyriformis) used for feeding and plants not used for feeding by the salt bush flea beetle (Nesaecrepida darwini), we compared five variables (branch length, number of leaves, maximum leaf length, maximum leaf width and digitised leaf surface) between three feeding classes (no, minor and major feeding damage). The results show that there are significant morphological differences between branches and leaves depending on the degree of feeding. Feeding is primarily taking place on smaller plants (with a lower general vitality), an observation supporting the 'environmental stress hypothesis'
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