Effect of meadow spittlebug and Australian crop mirid on white clover seed production in small cages

Abstract

The effects of feeding by the Australian crop mirid (Sidnia Hnbergi (Stål)) and the meadow spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius L.) on white clover (Trifolium repens L.) seed production were determined by comparing seed yield components from uninfested plant clones with those from clones infested with varying numbers of the insects. Feeding by the lowest number of Australian crop mirid (one per plant) caused a 50% reduction in the numbers of flower heads produced by the plants, an 18% reduction in the number of buds produced on each flower head, and a 26% reduction in the numbers of buds which produced florets. The number of seeds per head was also reduced. No effect on seed production was detected from meadow spittlebug feeding.

Keywords:

• white clover
• Trifolium repens
• seed yields
• clones
• seed production
• meadow spittlebug
• Philaenus spumarius
• Australian crop mirid
• Sidnia Hnbergi
• Miridae
• Aphrophoridae
• yield losses