Abstract: 【Aim】 Clania variegata (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) is a major defoliating pest on several tree species worldwide. In order to control this pest through wise arrangement of plant species in gardens and parks, we evaluated the reproductive potential of C. variegata on four host plants (Platanus acerifolia, Osmanthus fragrans, Albizia julibrissin and Amygdalus persica). 【Methods】 The duration of egg, larval and pupal stages, survival rate, adult longevity, oviposition period of female adult and daily number of eggs laid per female of C. variegata on P. acerifolia, O. fragrans, A. julibrissin, and A. persica were recorded in a natural open environment, in Shaanxi Province, northwestern China, from July 15, 2018 to June 21, 2019. The data of developmental duration, survival rate, adult longevity, and female fecundity were analyzed by the age-stage, two-sex life table theory, using TWOSEX-MSChart software. 【Results】 The developmental duration and adult longevity of C. variegata were significantly affected by the host plant species. The duration of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th larval instars of C. variegata on O. fragrans was significantly longer than that on the other host plants. C. variegata adult females exhibited significantly greater longevity on A. persica (11.47 d) than on O. fragrans (10.26 d). The oviposition period of C. variegata on O. fragrans (7.04 d) was significantly shorter than those on P. acerifolia (7.52 d), A. julibrissin (7.59 d), and A. persica (8.11 d). The net reproductive rate (R₀) of C. variegata on P. acerifolia (2 015.70 eggs) was significantly higher than those on O. fragrans (1 419.12 eggs), A. persica (1 289.66 eggs), and A. julibrissin (976.67 eggs). The intrinsic rate of increase (r) of C. variegata on P. acerifolia (0.02523/d) was significantly greater than those on O. fragrans (0.02377/d), A. julibrissin (0.02304/d), and A. persica (0.02194/d). 【Conclusion】 The reproductive potential of C. variegata on P. acerifolia was significantly greater than those on O. fragrans, A. julibrissin, and A. persica. Alternate planting of O. fragrans, A. julibrissin, and A. persica might help reduce the damage of C. variegata to non-preferable plants.

Key words: Clania variegata; Platanus acerifolia, Osmanthus fragrans, Albizia julibrissin; Amygdalus persica, reproductive potential, fecundity