Abstract

The of the firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) in Europe exhibit three kinds of host plant associations: feeding on seeds of (1) Tilia spp. (Tiliaceae), (2) Malvaceae (s. str.), and (3) Robinia pseudacacia (Fabaceae). The three host plant taxa often grow in different habitats and localities. We have tested the hypothesis that P. apterus forms on different host plants specialised populations which also influence its food preference. We have collected P. apterus from localities with Tilia platyphyllos, Malva neglecta or Robinia pseudacacia as host plants and tested their preferences in a multiple choice test involving seeds of Tilia cordata, T. platyphyllos, Althaea officinalis, Alcea rosea and Robinia pseudacacia. The original host plant of P. apterus population had no influence on food preferences. However, the preferences differed between adults and the third instar larvae. The adults preferred seeds of Robinia pseudacacia followed by Althaea officinalis, while the preferences of larvae were less pronounced and ranked in order Althaea officinalis, Robinia pseudacacia, and Tilia platyphyllos. Existence of trophic of P. apterus was not confirmed by our experiment. Durations of feeding were longer on preferred species of seeds in both adults and larvae.

Highlights

  • The firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (L., 1758) (Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha: Pyrrhocoridae), is a common, gregarious, Palaearctic species occurring in fringing parts of the Afrotropical and Oriental regions

  • The aim of this study is to find out (1) whether Pyrrhocoris apterus is just utilizing any available seeds of a suitable host plant without a distinct preference, or (2) whether there is a specific preference influencing the food choice, and (3) in the latter case, whether such a preference depends on the original host plant

  • Groups of Pyrrhocoris apterus differing by locality and original host plant were used for establishment of laboratory cultures

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Summary

Introduction

The firebug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (L., 1758) (Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha: Pyrrhocoridae), is a common, gregarious, Palaearctic species occurring in fringing parts of the Afrotropical and Oriental regions. This bug is believed to be widely polyphagous (Massee, 1954; Lipowa & Lipa, 1957; Tischler, 1959; Schlagbauer, 1966; Puchkov, 1974; Pluot, 1978; Ahmad & Schaefer, 1987; Korcz, 1994; Stehlík & Heiss, 2000). The former, Tiliacentred view is undoubtedly overly limited, and results probably from conspicuousness of large aggregations of P. apterus on or under linden trees, which provide the most available hibernacula in Europe. The latter, “polyphagous” view, probably does not correspond to the true situation, because it takes into account many observations of accidental feeding on trophically non-essential plant species

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