Levels of Tolerance, Antibiosis, and Antixenosis Among Resistant Buffalograsses and Zoysiagrasses

Abstract

The western chinch bug, Blissus occiduus Barber, has been documented as one of the most serious pests of buffalograss, Buchloë dactyloides (Nuttall) Engelmann, and zoysiagrass, Zoysia japonica Steudel, grown for turf in midwestern states. Resistance to the western chinch bug has been identified in both buffalograsses and zoysiagrasses. Choice and no-choice studies were conducted to determine the categories (antibiosis, antixenosis, and tolerance) of three resistant buffalograsses (PX3-5-1′, 196′, and 184′) and three resistant zoysiagrasses (El Toro, Emerald, and Zorro). Antibiosis studies found no significant differences in survival, nymphal development, or fecundity among the resistant and susceptible buffalograsses or zoysiagrasses, indicating that antibiosis is not an important factor in the resistance. Based on chinch bug damage ratings, 184, 196, and PX3-5-1 have comparable levels of tolerance to the known tolerant buffalograss ‘Prestige’, and Zorro was the most tolerant zoysiagrass. Choice studies indicated the presence of antixenosis in the buffalograss selection 196 and the zoysiagrass Emerald.