PHYTOPHAGOUS ARTHROPOD FAUNA OF CROWNVETCH IN PENNSYLVANIA

Abstract

AbstractA survey of the phytophagous arthropod fauna of the introduced legume crownvetch, Coronilla varia L., was conducted in Pennsylvania during 1971–73. Samples were taken from large forage fields, highway plantings used for erosion control, and greenhouses. Emphasis was placed on determining what known pests of other forage legumes are associated with crownvetch and on clarifying the relationship of the species to the host plant. Species were categorized as primary, secondary, and incidental according to their intimacy with the host. Biological notes, known host plant range, and association with other legumes are presented for 19 of the 33 primary species. The grasshoppersMelanoplus differentialis (Thomas) and M. femurrubrum (DeGeer) and the gelechiid moth Stomopteryx palpilineella Chambers caused defoliation in several highway plantings. Other abundant species were the alfalfa plant bug, Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze); potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris); clover stem borer, Languria mozardi (Latreille); and nitidulid beetle Meligethes nigrescens Stephens. The similarity of the phytophagous fauna of crownvetch to that of alfalfa is discussed. Alfalfa pests found not to breed on crownvetch were the meadow spittlebug, pea aphid, alfalfa weevil, clover leaf weevil, clover root curculio, and alfalfa seed chalcid. As yet pest problems on crownvetch are few when compared with those of alfalfa and other forage legumes.