Suitability of Thirteen Different Host Species for Elm Leaf Beetle, Xanthogaleruca luteola (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract

Thirteen different host species for elm leaf beetle, Xanthogaleruca luteola (Muller), were assayed to determine their relative suitability. Species examined were Ulmus parvifolia Jacq., U. thomasii Sarg., U. laevis Pall., U. wilsoniana Schneid., U. americana L., U. japonica Sarg., U. pumila L., U. rubra Muhl., U. laciniata Mayr., U. glabra Huds., U. carpinifolia Gledisch, Zelkova serrata Makino, and ‘204,’ a hybrid of U. carpinifolia × U. parvifolia. Suitability was determined by feeding adults excised foliage from a tree and measuring mortality and fecundity during a two wk period. Significant differences in beetle mortality and fecundity occurred among hosts. In general, European elms were better hosts than American or Asiatic species. Suitability of a European x Asiatic hybrid fell between that of the parent species.