Effect of alternative hosts on the growth and development of massion pine caterpillar, Dendrolimus punctatus
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Key Words：massion pine caterpillar, Pinus massoniana, Pinus elliottii, growth and velopment
Abstract：Pinus massoniana Lamb and Pinus elliottii Engelm are two main pines in southern China. The growth and development of masson pine caterpillar Dendrolimus punctatus Walker fed with pine leaves of two pines and with shifting leaves from the P. massoniana to the P. elliottii were examined during larval stage in laboratory. Significantly shorter development duration, greater mortality and pupation rate, and higher body weight and cocoon weight were observed in the higher instar larva than in the younger larva when they rearing with leaves from the P. massoniana to the P. elliottii. Moreover, the masson pine caterpillar have shorter developmental duration, lower mortality, higher larva body weight, cocoon weight and higher egg_laying rate when rearing with P. massoniana leaves than rearing with P. elliottii leaves. The results showed the development of massion pine caterpillar was disadvantagous when they first feed on P. massoniana and then move to P. elliottii leaves.