Meeting Abstract

P2.85  Wednesday, Jan. 5  Impact of host plant species on larval success of Epimecis hortaria HY, K.L.*; JONES, A.L.; MOIR, C.; FISHER, K.; KRUMM, J.L.; GOODRICH, K.R.; Widener University; Widener University; Widener University; Widener University; Widener University; Widener University jlkrumm@widener.edu

The larvae of many Lepidoptera are oligophagous or polyphagous, utilizing multiple host plants as food sources. Variation in larval host plant diet can occur spatially (across the larval species range) and/or temporally (at different stages of larval growth). In this preliminary study, we were interested in the impact of host plant diet on larval fitness for the polyphagous larvae of the Geometrid moth Epimecis hortaria. These larvae are found on a number of host plants, including Asimina triloba, Sassafras albidum, and Lindera benzoin. We collected larvae of E. hortaria at Alapocas Run State Park in DE from the common understory shrub L. benzoin, and the common small tree A. triloba. Offspring of wild-caught larvae were raised from eggs in the laboratory and fed a single host plant diet (A. triloba, S. albidum or L. benzoin) until pupation. Larval weights were recorded every 2 to 3 days. Results indicate that maximum larval weight, time between hatching and pupation, weight loss during pupation, and initial pupal weight were significantly different for larvae raised on different host plant diets.