Anoplophora glabripennis: Host choice, oviposition and performance of new hatched larvae on 'resistant' poplar species

Forests in north-western China are comprised mainly of poplar trees, predominantly Populus alba var. pyramidalis (PAP). Both Populus deltoides cl. Beikang (PDB) and PAP are attacked by the Asian long-horned beetle (ALB), but vary in their resistance to attack. To investigate performance of ALB on PDB and PAP, we evaluated: host-locating time, feeding and oviposition; and larval survival rate and weight in single-choice and two-choice bioassays; and undertook a field single-choice test. Results showed that there was no significant difference in the time that female ALB took to locate PDB and PAP in a cage bioassay, but males located PDB faster than PAP. Although not statistically significant, the mean weight of frass produced by adults feeding on PDB was less than on PAP in both the two-choice and single-choice experiments. The mean numbers of oviposition notch grooves on PDB and PAP in the single-choice experiment were similar, but there were more oviposition notch grooves on PDB than on PAP in the two-choice experiment. Survival rates of young larvae on PDB were significantly lower than on PAP. The average weights of larvae on PAP were significantly higher than on PDB in both two-choice and single-choice experiments. In the field experiment, mean numbers of oviposition notch grooves were significantly higher on PDB than on PAP, but mean weights and survival rates of larvae were significantly lower on PDB than on PAP, which suggested that PDB attracted ALB oviposition but showed strong resistant to developing ALB offspring. In conclusion, although PDB was more attractive for oviposition by ALB, it was still more resistant than PAP, providing a useful reference for selection of resistant varieties.

Automated summary

The study found that Populus deltoides cl. Beikang and Populus alba var. pyramidalis exhibited different resistance to attack by the Asian long-horned beetle, with the former being more attractive for oviposition but showing stronger resistance to developing offspring. This information can be valuable for selecting resistant tree varieties.