Host plant location by Chrysomelidae

Chrysomelidae are a taxon with an enormous plethora of highly specialised herbivorous species. The present study provides an overview of the knowledge available so far on cues guiding chrysomelids to locate a host plant. Host location behaviour wilt be addressed from different trophic perspectives. Cues from undamaged host plants are distinguished from cues released from damaged ones. The role of host plant cues is considered with respect to the surrounding vegetation and to the presence of competitors. Only very little is known on how enemies searching for prey influence a chrysomelid's choice for a plant. Finally, also the impact of phytopathogens on host location in Chrysomelidae is addressed. The pheno- and genotypic plasticity of chrysomelid host location behaviour might have facilitated pioneering new host plants. For a better understanding of adaptive evolution, we conclude that future studies on host plant location by chrysomelids need to address in addition to ecological and behaviourals aspects more intensively also the molecular questions of adaptation. (c) 2006 Gesellschaft for Okologie. Published by Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.