Feeding and oviposition preferences of Aphrodisium sauteri
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Key Words： Aphrodisium sauteri ,feeding, oviposition, preference
Abstract： Aphrodisium sauteria （Matsushita）is one of the most important pests of oak forests in South China.The feeding and oviposition preferences of A. sauteria were investigated in high altitude oak forests on Sanqingshan Mountain.The degree of damage to different host tree species varied; Cyclobalanopsis myrsinaefolia was more seriously damaged than C.multinervis, Castanopsis eryei or Schima superb.Field and laboratory research found that adult A. sauteria feed on liquid substances, and that the nutritional quality of the fluids they feed on significantly affected feeding time.A choice experiment showed that A. sauteria prefers to lay eggs in bark fissures in twigs, and displayed significant oviposition preferences with regard to the eight species of trees tested.Indoor observations of branch selection were not, however, consistent with the results of field observations.In the laboratory, no significant oviposition preferences for branch diameter were apparent with regard to branches from three host tree species.However, in the field a clear preference for branches of C.myrsinaefolia of 15~25 mm in diameter and a bark thickness of 1~2 mm was observed.There was a significant linear correlation between the height of oviposition sites and the diameter at breast height (DBH) of C.myrsinaefolia, and between branch diameter and bark thickness.