Desert Horse Purslane Weed as an Alternative Host for Amaranth Leaf Webber, Hymenia recurvalis in Taiwan

Abstract

The amaranth leaf webber (Hymenia recurvalis) feeds on several kinds of weed and crop plants in addition to its main host plant, amaranth. The larvae overwhelmingly prefer to feed on a weed host, Trianthema portulacastrum (desert horse purslane). The growth and development of H. recurvalis was assessed on T. portulacastrum and one of its usual host plants, Amaranthus viridis. The larvae of H. recurvalis grew significantly faster on T. portulacastrum, although the larval mortality was also significantly higher. Adults lived longer on T. portulacastrum than amaranth. However, there were no differences observed in pupal mortality, pupal period, pupal weight, adult emergence, fecundity, egg period and egg hatching. Hence, T. portulacastrum may be an alternative host plant for the population build-up of this noxious pest during host-free seasons.