Effects of Cupressaceous Host Plants on Life-history Traits and Life-table Parameters of Planococcus vovae (Nasonov, 1909) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Abstract

Planococcus vovae (Nasonov, 1909) (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae) is a newly discovered invasive species in China, which seriously damage cupressaceous plants. To study the effects of host plants on the biology of this insect pest, the developmental history, survival rate, adult longevity, and egg production on 12 species of common cupressaceous plants were measured at 26 ± 1°C, relative humidity 70 ± 5%, photoperiod L:D = 14 h:10 h. A population life table was constructed, and population dynamic parameters such as net reproductive rate, innate capacity of increase, finite rate of natural increase, a population trend index, average generation time, and population doubling time were calculated. The results showed that the nymphs could not complete their growth and development on only two species, Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco and Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murray bis) Parl., while they could complete their life cycle on 10 other species of the Cupressaceae. The developmental period of nymphs feeding on Juniperus formosana Hayata ‘Blue Arrow’ was significantly shorter than that of other cupressaceous plants, with male and female nymphs developing within 25.44 d and 25.18 d, respectively. It was concluded that P. vovae had certain differences in feeding and adaptability when feeding on different species of the Cupressaceae, and had the strongest adaptability on J. formosana ‘Blue Arrow’ while P. orientalis and C. lawsoniana were non-hosts of P. vovae.