title: Oviposition preference and offspring performance of Mechoris ursulus (Coleoptera: Attelabidae) in Cyclobalanopsis glaucoides (Fagales: Fagaceae) and Quercus franchetii (Fagales: Fagaceae) in Central Yunnan, China.
abstract: Mechoris ursulus (Roelofs) (Coleoptera: Attelabidae) is a pest weevil of Fagaceae oak trees in eastern Asia. The female has a distinct branch-cutting behavior in conjunction with oviposition in the acorns of its host plant. This study analyzed the factors influencing oviposition preference by carrying out continuous field surveys over the course of 2009-2010 and through laboratory rearing. The field survey showed that for both of the hosts, Cyclobalanopsis glaucoides Schottky (Fagales: Fagaceae) and Quercus franchetii Skan, M. ursulus preferred branches with fewer acorns and larger acorns on the same branch for oviposition. Laboratory rearing experiments showed offspring performance (i.e., survival rate and fresh weight of larvae) was significantly and positively correlated with acorn size. Preference for larger acorns could maximize the fitness of offspring by providing sufficient food source and space.
authors: Institute of Ecology and Geobotany, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China *These authors contributed equally to this work.
authors: Xu
authors: X
authors: Wang
authors: School of Agriculture, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China Laboratory of Biological Invasion and Ecosecurity, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
authors: Shao-Ji
authors: SJ
authors: Hu
authors: Institute of Ecology and Geobotany, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China zhyzhang@ynu.edu.cn.
authors: Zhi-Ying
authors: ZY
authors: Zhang
authors: Institute of Ecology and Geobotany, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
authors: Yu-Peng
authors: YP
authors: Geng
authors: Institute of Ecology and Geobotany, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
authors: Xue
authors: X
authors: Bai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D029962:Fagaceae / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D020387:Food Chain; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D010058:Oviposition; D029963:Quercus / Q000254:growth & development
keywords: number of acorn; oak nut weevil; ovipositing preference; reproductive behavior; size of acorn