Effect of sweetpotato cultivars on fitness of sweetpotato weevil, Cylas formicarius elegantulus (Summer)

Monday, November 16, 2015: 9:36 AM
205 A (Convention Center)
Jie Chen , Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Jeffrey A. Davis , Entomology, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Michael Stout , Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA
M. J. Murray , Entomology, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA
Julien M. Beuzelin , Dean Lee Research Station, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Alexandria, LA
D. R. LaBonte , School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA
Tara Smith , Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Sweetpotato weevil (SPW), Cylas formicarius elegantulus (Summer), is the most detrimental pest of sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Poir., worldwide. Weevil larval tunneling and adult feeding induce terpene production, rending the storage root inedible. Sweetpotato cultivars with levels of resistance to SPW have been actively bred for by the LSU AgCenter Sweetpotato Breeding Program. Considering the cryptic living condition of SPW, the use of resistant cultivars against SPW would reduce the need for insecticides for SPW management. Previous laboratory studies have reported that feeding on three commercial cultivars, Beauregard, Evangeline, and Murasaki was associated with differences in adult emergence. In this study, SPW adult oviposition on the three cultivars was evaluated in choice and no-choice bioassays. Food consumption and adult landing site were compared among the cultivars in choice bioassay. The lowest level oviposition was observed on Murasaki. Adult food consumption was greater on Beauregard than Murasaki. These data suggest that antixenosis plays a role in the observed resistance of sweetpotato cultivars to SPW. Studies are under way to determine the cultivar effect on larval performance for antibiosis.
See more of: 12 - Graduate Ten-Minute Paper Competition: P-IE - Host Plant Resistance
See more of: Student TMP Competition
<< Previous Presentation | Next Presentation >>

ESA Annual Meetings