Abstract

Feeding and host acceptance behavior of the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), on a hybrid potato bearing glandular trichomes was examined as was the expression of resistance to field populations of E. fabae. More than 75% of nymphs given access to the resistant hybrid failed to feed; all nymphs on a susceptible commercial cultivar initiated feeding. Average duration of time to first probe on the hybrid was 14.2 min, compared with 1.2 min on the susceptible cultivar. Acceptance and feeding success on the resistant clone were greatly improved following removal of glandular trichomes. In field plots subject to natural infestations of E. fabae, populations of adults and nymphs on the hybrid clone were reduced >80% compared with those on commercial potato cultivars.

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