Field observations that outbreaks of
phytophagous arthropods are frequently associated with stressed plants generated the Plant Stress Hypothesis, i.e., that stressed plants are more susceptible hosts for phytophages (White, 1969, 1976, 1984; Haglund, 1980; Schowalter et al., 1986; Lightfoot and Whitford, 1987, 1989, 1991; Mattson and Haack, 1987; Heinrichs, 1988; Waring and Cobb, 1992).
Evolution of deterrent responses by
phytophagous insects.
On optimal oviposition behavior in
phytophagous insects.
Coreids of the genus Leptoglossus Guerin (Coreinae) comprise a large group of
phytophagous insects that are characterized by dilated posterior tibiae in the form of a leaf --the so-called leaf-footed bugs.
The genus Bulaea also includes
phytophagous species and represents an independent shift to phytophagy according to our study (Giorgi et al.
Thus, rearing and maintaining
phytophagous stink bugs in the laboratory is important to allow the conduction of biology tests, resistant strains tests, efficacy of insecticides, use in biological control programs with parasitoids, identification of pheromones, among others (CORREA-FERREIRA, 2002; PEREZ & CORREA-FERREIRA, 2004; GODOY et al., 2005; SILVA et al., 2008; SILVA et al., 2011).
Two problems have been detected arising from this
phytophagous pest: One year after the lesions formed, the leaves turned yellow and fell off the plant (Fig.
Predators may play an important role in the evolution of a narrow host range in
phytophagous insects because they impose selection pressure on herbivores to utilize enemy-free space (Bernays and Graham 1988).
The ecology and evolution of
phytophagous insects has attracted much attention, in part because of the astounding diversity of many of the clades that have adopted the
phytophagous habit.
A few authors have examined populations of
phytophagous arthropods for genetic variation in responses to plants that the population or species does not naturally feed on, but which are used as hosts by conspecific populations or related species (Futuyma et al.
A
phytophagous braconid, Allorhogas conostegia n.sp.