Whole-plant CO2 exchange measurements on azaleas injured by azalea lace bug (Heteroptea: Tingidae) feeding.
Whole-plant gas exchange was measured continuously for 24 h on rooted cuttings of Girard's 'Pleasant White' azaleas. Azalea treatments were azalea lace bug, Stephanitis pyrioides (Scott), feeding injury levels that averaged 6, 13, or 31% leaf-area injury throughout the plant canopies. Gas exchange parameters, including net photosynthesis, dark respiration, carbon use efficiency, and growth, were compared with undamaged control plants. Responses of Girard's 'Pleasant White' azaleas suggested that azaleas were tolerant of lace bug feeding injury levels above the aesthetic threshold. Azalea tolerance can be incorporated into an integrated management plan to reduce chemical inputs into the urban landscape.
Klingeman
W E
WE
Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Griffin 30223, USA.
Van Iersel
M W
MW
Buntin
G D
GD
Braman
S K
SK
D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D020062:Heteroptera; D018515:Plant Leaves; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D010944:Plants
D002245:Carbon Dioxide