Impact of acidic deposition on Encelia farinosa Gray (Compositae: Asteraceae) and feeding preferences of Trirhabda geminata Horn (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
1993
Paine, T.D. | Redak, R.A. | Trumble, J.T.
Container grown Encelia farinosa were exposed to three 3-hr episodes of acidic fog (pH 2.5) typical of events in southern California. Adults and larvae of the specialist leaf-feeding herbivore, Trirhabda geminata, preferred to feed on the acidic-treated foliage compared to control fogged (pH 6.3-6.5) foliage. Previous feeding damage on the plants did not affect feeding preference. The acidic-fogged foliage was significantly higher in total nitrogen and soluble protein but not different from control-treated tissue in water content. Stress on native populations of this drought-deciduous shrub caused by atmospheric pollutants may also result in altered feeding ecology of the beetle.
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