Tp. Craig et al., Oviposition preference and offspring performance of Eurosta solidaginis ongenotypes of Solidago altissima, OIKOS, 86(1), 1999, pp. 119-128
We studied the relationship between oviposition preference and offspring pe
rformance in Eurosta solidaginis, fly that induces galls on tall goldenrod,
Solidago altissima. In a garden experiment, we measured the oviposition pr
eference and performance of E. solidaginis on four replicates of 20 genotyp
es of Solidago altissima for two years. No evidence was found of an oviposi
tion preference based on plant genotype. E. solidaginis survival was influe
nced by plant genotype in 1991, but not in 1990. In 1991 there was no corre
lation between the preference for plant genotypes and larval performance on
these genotypes. More rapidly growing ramets were ovipunctured more freque
ntly. However, survival was highest on ramets with intermediate growth rate
s. On a per-plot basis, there was no relationship between mean growth rate
and oviposition preference or offspring performance. In both 1990 and 1991
there was no significant correlation between preference and performance amo
ng plots. There were no significant positive correlations between years in
the experimental garden in E. solidaginis preference for, or performance on
, S. altissima genotypes. There were also no significant positive correlati
ons between preference and performance by E. solidaginis for S. altissima g
enotypes in the field and in the experimental garden. This indicates a high
degree of plasticity in plant traits related to oviposition preference and
offspring performance.