Selectivity of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) on different host vegetables

The selectivity of F. occidentalis on different host vegetables and vegetable leaves were studied using a pot experiment on 7 vegetables and a leaf disc test with selected vegetable leaves. The results showed that the preference of adult F. occidentalis for seven host vegetables was summer squash>eggplant rootstock>cucumber>eggplant>bean>chili pepper>tomato. The rank order of oviposition preference of F. occidentalis was summer squash>eggplant>bean>cucumber>chili pepper>eggplant rootstock or tomato. There were more larvae on apical or middle younger leaves of chili pepper, eggplant and summer squash than on basal leaves. However, more larvae hatched on middle and basal older leaves than on apical leaves of tomato. The amount of oviposition on middle leaves was significantly greater than on other parts of bean. Adult F. occidentalis preferred feeding on younger leaves of chili pepper, eggplant and bean. F. occidentalis liked feeding on middle and basal leaves of tomato, and preferred middle leaves of summer squash.