Oviposition choice and mechanisms of Holcocerus hippophaecolus on different Sea Buckthorn trees.

The aim of this study was to define the oviposition preference of Holcocerus hippophaecolus. Six Sea Buckthorn subspecies (varieties and hybrids) were selected and studied using artificial infection by insects raised in cages. The results showed H. rhamnoides subsp sinensis showing the highest oviposition rate and quantity and Taiyang the lowest. Qiuyisike × H. rhamnoides subsp sinensis, Chuyi, and Taiyang showed high resistance, whereas H. rhamnoides subsp sinensis, Hunjin and Wulangemu × H. rhamnoides subsp sinensis showed low resistance. The oviposition preference of H. hippophaecolus did not correlate with bark water content, lenticel size and lenticel density, but did correlate with bark thickness, bark density, crack ration. These results provide the theoretical basis for the understanding of the outbreak mechanisms of H. hippophaecolus disaster. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]