›› 1996, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (3): 281-284.

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

MONOPHAGY OF LEMA SCUTELLARIS ON COMMELINA COMMUNIS

Zhang Xiurong Ma Shuying Dai Bingli   

  • Online:1996-08-20 Published:1996-08-20

Abstract: Lema scutellaris has one generation per year and overwinters as adult.This insect shows a monophagous habit feeding only on Commellina communis, butnot other plant species. As shown in our feeding tests, it refuses either the same or the closely-related plant families or genera. The occurrence of the insect is synchronic with the seedling stage of Commellina communis. Feeding of the larvae is coinciding with the richly branching feature of the plant. The nutritional location where the insect feeds on is highly correlated with the distribution of the muscouscells of the plant and the cells' sugar contents.

Key words: Lema scutellaris, Commelina communis, monophagy