Oviposition preference hierarchy of Brachys tessellatus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Abstract

For insects whose offspring complete development at the site of oviposition, as with most leafminers, maternal oviposition preference is very important in determining offspring success. If these insects use several host plants, the evolution of oviposition preference hierarchies is expected, with the patterns of preference for any given host corresponding to larval performance on that host. We examined the oviposition preference hierarchy of Brachys tessellatus (F.), a Buprestid leafmining beetle, on 5 Quercus species that the beetle has been observed to use as host plants. Two laboratory experiments were performed, involving a combination of no-choice and 2-choice behavioral trials. Patterns of preference in the wild was also assessed using a survey of egg densities on hosts in the field. The 2 laboratory behavioral trials revealed identical preference hierarchies, with preference for Quercus marylandica > Q. laevis > Q. incana > Q. nigra > Q margaretta These results contrasted with the observations in the wild where egg densities reflected the pattern Q. laevis > Q. marylandica > Q. incana > Q. nigra > Q. margaretta This variation for the 2 most preferred hosts suggests that the laboratory results may not reflect environmental effects such as host abundance and sun versus shade effects that may influence the patterns of oviposition site preference observed in the wild.