Seed preferences of Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) : Are there specialized trophic populations?

Abstract

To test the hypothesis that P. apterus forms on different host plants specialized "trophic populations", we have compared seed preferences and feeding behaviour of firebugs collected on three different host plants: Tilia platyphyllos, Malva neglecta, and Robinia pseudacacia. The original host plant had no influence on food preferences.

Keywords

• Heteroptera
• Pyrrhocoridae
• Pyrrhocoris apterus
• feeding duration
• feeding behaviour
• trophic populations
• seed preferences
• Tilia platyphyllos
• Althaea officinalis
• Robinia pseudacacia