Abstract
Host plant shifts by phytophagous insects are often hypothesized as means through which new species could genetically differentiate. For genetic divergence to occur between populations on original and novel hosts, the colonizing population must possess genetic variation in performance traits allowing use of and selection by the new host. To test for the existence of genetic variation in Enchenopa treehoppers for the use of novel host plants in the genus Viburnum , we performed a 4-way full sib analysis. Related insects were exposed to 4 different plant species in greenhouse and field settings: the original host plant and 3 novel host species. We estimated genetic variation in performance traits of male and female longevity, and female fecundity and calculated fitness values, nymphal survival, and male and female developmental time to adult eclosion. We found significant genetic variation in traits influencing both survival and reproduction. There were significant interactions between genotype and host, indicating some genotypes are more adept than others at using new hosts. We conclude that sufficient genetic variation exists in this population to facilitate successful shifts to these new hosts.
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