Investigations into suitability of <i>Trifolium occidentale</i> as a host plant for two common pasture pests

Abstract

Western clover (Trifolium occidentale) is a diploid perennial clover that is reported to be one of the progenitors of white clover (Trifolium repens) The ability to produce hybrids between T repens and T occidentale provides an opportunity to introduce factors to improve white clover tolerance to common stress factors A series of assays was undertaken to compare the feeding and performance of two contrasting pests on two T occidentale lines and two T repens cultivars Clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus) adults showed a preference for T repens but this diminished if weevils had been previously exposed to T occidentale Weevil longevity feeding levels and oviposition were comparable over 32 days indicating T occidentale is a host plant for adult S lepidus Clover flea (Sminthurus viridis) showed a strong preference for T repens over T occidentale in a choice test and higher feeding levels on T repens in the nochoice test