Forage Legumes Preferred by the Clover Root Curculio and Preferences of the Curculio and Root Lesion Nematodes for Species of Trifolium and Medicago12

Abstract

Greenhouse tests on feeding preferences of larvae and adults of the clover root curculio, Sitona hispidula (F.), for 5 forage legumes indicated that adults preferred white, alsike, and red clover, alfalfa, and birds foot trefoil in descending order. Larvae preferred red, white, and alsike clover roots over those of alfalfa and birds foot trefoil. Field and greenhouse screening trials to determinc possible sources of resistance in Medicago and Trifolium species to attack by the curculio and root lesion nematodes, Pratylenchus spp., indicated little promise of resistance in any of the species tested.