Development, fecundity, and survival of polyphagous insects are influenced by qualitative differences in nutrients of their host plants, which vary among species. Host plant quality is determined by composition of nutrients and secondary metabolites, ...
Development, fecundity, and survival of polyphagous insects are influenced by qualitative differences in nutrients of their host plants, which vary among species. Host plant quality is determined by composition of nutrients and secondary metabolites, with carbon to nitrogen ratio playing a particularly important role. Additionally, temporal changes in plant quality may induce host plant switching in polyphagous insects. Ramulus mikado is a polyphagous insect that feeds on various broadleaf and outbreak occurred in metropolitan forests in 2020, with damage areas continuing to expand as high population densities persist. While climate change has been mentioned as a cause of R. mikado outbreak, qualitative differences among host plants are also estimated to have acted as major contributing factor. Therefore, this study investigated effects of different host plants on host selection, development, and fecundity of R. mikado. To examine host selection by R. mikado, both field investigations and greenhouse experiments were conducted. While effects of host plants on development and fecundity were compared in greenhouse experiments. Field investigations were conducted from spring 2024 to summer 2025 in Mt. Cheonggye where R. mikado outbreaks were reported, targeting Prunus serrulata var. pubescens, Quercus mongolica, and Robinia pseudoacacia, which were reported as damaged major host plants. Density changes by host plant were investigated using beating sheet. In greenhouse experiments, 2-year-old seedlings of P. sargentii, Q. mongolica, and R. pseudoacacia were used to investigate host plant selection at different developmental stages, and development and fecundity of individuals reared on each host plant were compared. Additionally, carbon and nitrogen content of each plant leaves were analyzed. Field investigation results showed that in both 2024 and 2025, high densities were observed on R. pseudoacacia during early nymphal stages. However, they gradually decreased on R. pseudoacacia while densities on Q. mongolica and P. serrulata var. pubescens increased. Host plant selection experiments in greenhouse showed differences in density among host plants from 2nd to 3rd instar nymphal stages. However, after 4th instar, density on P. sargentii increased and was maintained until adult stage. Furthermore, individuals reared on Q. mongolica showed lowest weight, adult longevity, and fecundity compared to other host plants. In conclusion, host plant species differences are considered to influence host selection, development, and fecundity of R. mikado, and the plant species composition of forest may contribute to outbreaks of R. mikado