| Title | Behavioral and population ecology of a major Yucca herbivore |
| Publication Type | Conference Proceedings |
| Year of Publication | 1980 |
| Authors | Fowler HG |
| Conference Name | <i>Yucca</i> |
| Pagination | 91-113 |
| Date Published | 1980 |
| Publisher | Centro de Investigacion en Quimica Aplicada |
| Call Number | 00069 |
| Keywords | abstract , abstracts , conference , conference proceedings , conferences , Halticoma,behavior , Halticoma,population ecology , insect herbivory,Yucca , insect,behavior , insect,Halticoma , insect,population ecology , invertebrate, also SEE <INSECT> , population ecology, Yucca herbivory , proceeding , proceedings , Yucca, herbivory |
| Abstract | The mirid Halticoma valida Reuter was found to be the dominant herbivore of Yucca in southern New Mexico. Although populations were very high on Y. baccata, developmental rates were faster on Y. elata. Populations on both species of Yucca declined sharply after flowering and fruiting, and subsequent visitations by ants. Laboratory experiments confirmed the preference for the lower density Y. baccata. Feeding bouts were longer on y. baccata and Y. torreyi than on Y. elata, as well as interference competition between the developing instars for feeding sites, due to high populations supported on these species. Extract of Y baccata and Y. torreyi produced significantly greater aggregations than extracts of Y. elata. The effects of leaf surface area, water balance, and chemical and physical characteristics of Yucca on the feeding and aggregating of H. valida is discussed. |
| Custom 1 | Saltillo, Mexico |
