Reproductive capacity of first-generation adults of the rice water weevil<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus</Emphasis> Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Zhejiang,China

First-generation adults of the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel were collected from Yueqing (28.1°N latitude, 120.9°E longitude), Zhejiang, China, during late June and mid-July and reared on rice plants (cultivar Shanyou 63) in the laboratory (28±1 °C, 16L:8D) to examine their reproductive capacity. On plants aged 16–22 days, adults from the field and collected in mid-July could reach oviposition onset more rapidly and deposit more eggs than those collected earlier. Adults that emerged in late June and early July displayed a greater tendency to become reproductive, compared with those which emerged in mid-July. However, each of these groups of adults, either field-collected or newly emerged, deposited only 3–14 eggs within 60 days of feeding. Reproductive capacity was greatly related to plant age, with plants aged below 20 days being most favorable; on plants aged over 20 days, reproductive development could take place, but little oviposition was observed. These results indicate that the reproductive capacity of first-generation adults in Zhejiang is dependent upon the time of adult emergence and post-emergence, as well as on the age of rice plants.     

Intraspecific variation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trifolium pratense</Emphasis>: impact on feeding and host location by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sitona lepidus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Curculionidae)

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is becoming increasingly important in grassland systems because of its high productivity, protein content and nitrogen-fixing ability, but its use has been constrained by losses due to pests and diseases, and this contributed to the decline of red clover usage allowing white clover (T. repens L.) to become the dominant legume of UK grasslands. One of the major pests of red clover is the clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus Gyllenhal, Coleoptera, Curculionidae) which attacks both the shoots and roots, particularly the N-fixing root nodules, of clover plants. This current work investigates the feeding preferences of S. lepidus with respect to 11 varieties (Pawera, Kuhn, Astra, Norseman, Norseman low, Norseman high, Marcom, Merviot, Milvus, Britta, Sabtoron) and 5 lines (AA30, AA31, AA4493, AA4494 and AA4495) of red clover in order to identify relationships between the variation in attractiveness of different red clover varieties for both adult and larval stages of the weevil. Of those tested Norseman high showed potential resistance, being less favoured by both adults and larvae of the weevil. This may be attributed to the potentially high phyto-oestrogen levels in this variety.     

Pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) damage to cuttings and seedlings of Norway spruce

Damage caused by pine weevil (Hylobius abietus L.) to planted seedlings and cuttings of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) was studied at five clearcut sites in south-eastern Sweden. The main objective was to compare the two types of stock in terms of attack frequency and mortality due to pine weevil feeding. Cuttings and seedlings with the same initial stem-base diameter (4 mm) were compared. Two sites were harvested and scarified shortly before planting, two were harvested shortly before planting, but were not scarified, and one was harvested 2 years before and scarified the autumn before planting. The total mortality 5 years after planting was highest, greater than 90%, at the new, non-scarified sites, and lowest, 23%, at the old, scarified site. More than 90% of the mortality was caused by pine weevil feeding. Attack frequency and pine weevil induced mortality were significantly higher among seedlings than among cuttings. Mortality due to pine weevil damage was 4–43% higher in seedlings than in cuttings after the fifth year. Of the cuttings and seedlings that were attacked in the first year, a significantly higher frequency of the seedlings were girdled. The higher resistance of cuttings to pine weevil damage may partly explain the more rapid growth of cuttings reported in other studies. However, the causes of their higher resistance need to be further investigated. The thicker bark and needles on the stem base of the cuttings could be important in this respect.     

Zur Lebensweise und Wirtsbindung des Distel-BlattkäfersLema cyanella L.(puncticollis Curt.) (Col. Chrysomelidae)

Summary L. cyanella L. is known to occur in Europe, Siberia, and Japan. A map showing personal records ofL. cyanella on creeping thistle(Cirsium arvense) is given in Figure 2. Our findings suggest thatL. cyanella is more common and more evenly distributed in the western parts of Europe (western France and southern England) than in central Europe (Switzerland, Germany, Austria), where only a very small proportion of the thistle stands examined yielded the beetle. There are no personal records from southern Europe. The hibernating adults ofL. cyanella appear in late April and May on the rosettes and young shoots ofC. arvense, where they start feeding and ovipositing. The larvae which are covered with their faeces feed on the lower side of the leaves ofC. arvense. Pupation takes place in the soil. In the laboratory the whole development from egg to adult lasted about 35 days. There is only one generation per annuum. All available field observations ofL. cyanella refer toC. arvense as host plant (one record fromCirsium vulgare). “Short-term feeding tests” with adults ofL. cyanella yielded feeding responses withCarduus,Cirsium spp. andSilybum. Test plants belonging to 17 other genera of the Compositae family were not accepted. As shown in Table 1 this “Carduus-Cirsium-Silybum pattern” has also been found in feeding experiments with other highly specialized thistle insects. Within its subfamily (Criocerinae)L. cyanella appears to have developed a unique host association, since to date no related species are known to feed on thistles or other Cynareae. Because of its high degree of host specifityL. cyanella may be a potential candidate insect for the biological control of creeping thistle in North America. Further feeding tests with larvae and investigations as to the reasons for the scarcity ofL. cyanella in central Europe should be made, before a definite decision about the usefulness ofL. cyanella as a biological control agent can be taken.      

Behaviour-modifying activity of eugenol on Thrips tabaci Lindeman

A series of observational bioassays were conducted to investigate the behavioural responses of the onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), to an application of a secondary plant compound to two different host plants with dissimilar leaf surface characteristics. Eugenol, a phenylpropanoid compound known to deter feeding and oviposition of the onion thrips, was applied to leek (Allium porrum L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) at 1% concentration. Using a video system and special software for computing observational data, influences of this plant compound on the behaviour of T. tabaci females were evaluated. Eugenol treatment significantly prolonged the time periods thrips spent being inactive and moving across the treated leek or cucumber surface. The feeding periods on leek leaves treated with eugenol were clearly shorter compared to periods on untreated leek. The behaviours related to oviposition on leaves from both host species treated with eugenol were slightly reduced. T. tabaci females avoided direct contact with eugenol particularly when applied to leek, showing significantly lower contact duration compared to an untreated surface. This shows that behaviour-modifying secondary compounds such as eugenol may be used in various strategies and may contribute to the enhancement of current biological control measures and/or form novel components of Integrated Pest Management strategies.     

Chrysolina fastuosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) a biological control agent or a possible pest?

A poorly known chrysomelid beetle, Chrysolina fastuosa (Scopoli) has been found in a strikingly great number on black horehound (Ballota nigra L.), a soft caulescent plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. B. nigra can be found from April to August commonly on roadsides, along walls or at the border of gardens and orchards in Hungary and continental Europe. It can be called a minor weed. The glistering tiny adults that feed voraciously on leaves cause apparently significant damage. The subsequent investigation, which focuses on the number of feeding individuals and the loss of plant tissue, showed 1–24 beetles on a plant and the consumed leave surface which amounted to 8–94%. The repeated damage assessment, a week later showed a significantly unimportant increase in the number of individuals but a significant 20–31% increase in the plant surface loss. According to the literature, Ch. fastuosa has been found in association with other Labiatae plants such as Galeopsis pubescens Besser, Lamium album L. and Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae). Thus, considering its efficiency mentioned above, it could be used to augment and maintain its populations as a biological control agent for these weeds. However, taking into consideration the growing importance of the production of medicinal plants among which Lamiaceae species are numerous, Ch. fastuosa can cause damage that cannot be neglected.     

Bioecological characteristics of Bracon intercessor Nees (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) as a parasitoid of the poplar clearwing moth, Paranthrene tabaniformis (Rott.) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) in Bulgaria

The major bioecological characteristics of Bracon intercessor Nees (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of the poplar clearwing moth, Paranthrene tabaniformis (Rott.) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), were studied from 1987 to 2003. Poplar shoots infested with P. tabaniformis larvae were collected in 11 localities in Bulgaria and examined in the laboratory, and infestations were also studied in the field. B. intercessor was recorded in seven localities and was found to be a gregarious external larval parasitoid of P. tabaniformis. Two generations of the parasitoid developed on the host. The first (summer) generation was associated with early and mid-stage (up to third instar) host larvae, and the second (overwintering) generation with third- to fifth-instar larvae. The average number of parasitoid individuals feeding on a host was 4.5 and 12.4 in summer and overwintering generations, respectively. The maximum number recorded was 25 individuals per host in the overwintering generation. B. intercessor overwintered as a mature larva on the host and completed its development in early spring. The adults from the overwintering generation appeared in April, about 1 month prior to emergence of P. tabaniformis. The life cycle of B. intercessor was not in close synchrony with the development of P. tabaniformis in the spring, but the parasitoid adults which fed on honey-sugar solution lived for up to 31 days (males) and 86 days (females), respectively. This suggests that, in the field, B. intercessor females eclosing in the spring could survive until the host larvae appear if nectar is available. Adults of the summer generation emerge from July to September when sufficient suitable host larvae are available. B. intercessor was responsible for 1.5% of the average mortality of the P. tabaniformis overwintering larvae. The host mortality caused by the summer generation of the parasitoid ranged from 3.2% to 5.8%.     

Parasitoid complex (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) of Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) in Iran

The parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) of the cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, were investigated throughout two far distant provinces, Tehran and Sistan-Baluchestan. Colonies of the cowpea aphid were collected from different host plants and reared under laboratory conditions until the parasitoids emerged. The aphids were parasitized by an expected range of parasitoids. The species were Aphidius colemani Viereck, Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall), Lysiphlebus confusus Tremblay and Eady, Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson), Binodoxys acalephae (Marshall), Binodoxys angelicae (Haliday), Praon volucre (Haliday) and Ephedrus persicae Froggatt. L. testaceipes is reported here for the first time in Iran. The most common species was L. fabarum followed by B. acalephae and L. confusus. A key is provided for identification and host plant associations are considered.     

Role of monoterpenes in Hylobius abietis damage levels between cuttings and seedlings of Picea sitchensis

Abstract

This study investigated the role of monoterpenes, a group of chemicals known to be involved in plant defence, in the susceptibility of Sitka spruce [Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.] plants derived from both cuttings and seedlings to attack by the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis (L.). Results showed that, given the choice, weevils prefer to feed on the shoots of seedlings than of cuttings and that this preference continued over a period of 6 days, although the overall level of feeding declined. This observation was associated with a higher level of monoterpenes in the shoots from cuttings than in those from seedlings. When the weevils were restricted to the stems and given no choice, levels of damage to the bark were similar in both plant types.     

九连山金斑喙凤蝶野外生物学特性观测

[目的]通过连续12 a对金斑喙凤蝶的野外调查观察,研究成虫活动规律,并利用仿生态养殖,观察金斑喙凤蝶卵和幼虫的形态特征与生活习性,研究其生物学特性,以期为金斑喙凤蝶研究与保护提供有效数据。[方法]根据2004—2012年对金斑喙凤蝶成虫活动规律的观察研究,2013—2015年,在金斑喙凤蝶成虫活动期,采用样线踏查的方法,自海拔450 m往山顶海拔1 200 m搜索,调查视野内木兰科植物分布情况,寻找卵和幼虫,收集后带回驻地进行仿生态养殖,观察其形态特征和生活习性。[结果]金斑喙凤蝶在九连山为一年二代,以蛹越冬,第一代成虫发生期为4月上旬至5月中旬,第二代成虫发生期为8月下旬至9月中旬;2013年在木兰科植物金叶含笑上发现卵和幼虫,2014和2015年在深山含笑上发现卵和幼虫,深山含笑为新发现寄主植物,目前除九连山外尚未有报道;幼虫5龄,各龄级幼虫差异较大;预蛹成蛹经历两次蜕皮过程,这是金斑喙凤蝶研究中的一项重大发现。[结论]1)金斑喙凤蝶卵和幼虫的分布与寄主植物分布密切相关,且对生境质量有较高要求,成虫活动范围主要在寄主植物分布范围及其周边;2)金斑喙凤蝶选择生长良好的金叶含笑和深山含笑叶片上产卵,或嗜食深山含笑;3)温度、湿度等环境因子对卵的孵化、幼虫的生长发育以及化蛹和羽化影响较大;4)金斑喙凤蝶雌蝶少,卵孵化率低,幼虫发育历期长,幼虫成活率低,化蛹和羽化率低等是导致其种群数量稀少的主要原因。5)据查,目前尚未有其它蝶类化蛹过程中经历两次蜕皮的报道,预蛹化蛹蜕两次皮是金斑喙凤蝶异于其他蝶类的特殊现象。     

Life-cycles and ecology of willow beetles on Salix viminalis in England

The life-cycles of three willow beetle pests, Phratora (= Phyllodecta) vulgatissima, Phratora (=Phyllodeeta) vitellinae and Galerucella lineola (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae), were investigated during 1994–95 in a plantation of short-rotation coppiced willows (Salix viminalis cv. Bowles Hybrid) at Long Ashton, Bristol, UK. The P. vulgatissima had one generation during the year. Overwintered adults emerged from hibernation in April and after a short feeding period, copulation and egg-laying occurred. Larval stages were found from May–July. The new generation of adult beetles appeared in July–August and fed for a while before hibernating. Hibernating adults were found in hedgerows around the site and in the plantation on willow stools and ground vegetation. Dispersal of adult beetles between feeding and overwintering sites appeared to be fairly localized. Hence, crop management strategies that reduce the potential for overwintering in and around plantations may help to minimize spring re-invasion and damage. Although based on limited observations, the biology of P. vitellinae and G. lineola appeared similar to that of P. vulgatissima. However, there is evidence in the literature that both these species, unlike the latter, can have a partial second generation in some years. The potential effect of insect herbivory on the growth and biomass yield of S. viminalis cv. Bowles Hybrid was investigated experimentally by artificial hand-defoliation of pot-grown plants. Yield losses were strongly correlated with the amount and time of defoliation. Results indicated that even slight or moderate damage by insect herbivores could have a significant impact on the biomass productivity of coppiced willows.     

Population dynamics,phenology, and overwintering of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bactrocera dorsalis</Emphasis> (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hubei Province,China

Since 2004 the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) has become widespread and economically important in Wuhan, Hubei Province, central China. In this article, the population dynamics of B. dorsalis were monitored using methyl eugenol-baited traps during 2008–2009 in Wuhan. Adults were captured from early July to the end of December in a citrus orchard and peaked in October and early November. Adult population peak coincided with the ripeness period of sweet oranges in October. Infestation with B. dorsalis was more serious in 2009 than in 2008. Field surveys of host plants for this fly species combined with rearing experiments indicated that pear was the first host plant infested by B. dorsalis. We recorded the following host shift pattern: pear (Pyrus communis L.), jujube (Zizyphus jujuba L.), persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.), and sweet orange (Citrus unshiu Marcor). Our findings suggest that B. dorsalis completes four to five generations per year in this area and most serious damage occurred in the 4th generation in the citrus orchards. The availability of preferred host fruits and the low winter temperature are key factors influencing population fluctuations. Overwintering potential experiments of adults, larvae, and pupae were also carried out in the field. Results suggest that a small proportion of pupae were able to survive winter in Wuhan and emerged successfully the following year. Practical and theoretical implications of the results regarding the invasion potential and management strategy of B. dorsalis in Hubei Province are discussed.     

THE BEHAVIOR OF ADULT OF OSIER WEEVIL

THEACTIONLAWoFADULTThcadultsofOsierweevilwereobservedonafixedspotinfieldandraisedindoorsandinfieldseparatelyinl987-9o.Theboxes(4()x4()x6ocm)ineachofWhichl5pairsofadultswereplacedwereusedwiththrcere-peats.Thesamesizesofboxesinwhichtl1eadultsxvcrcraisedx`eredesignedindoorswithtWorepeats.l5canswerealsousedineachofwhlchapairofadultwasplaced.ThefreshbranchesofPoplarthattheadultswcrelikctoeatt`crereplacedilladayabout.ThcEmcrgcnccLawofAdultOsierwecvilstartcdemergenceinthclasttendaysofJuly.…     

补充营养对白蜡吉丁肿腿蜂寄生效率和发育进程的影响

[目的]为了探明补充营养是否对白蜡吉丁肿腿蜂雌蜂的寄生效率、生殖能力和寿命有显著影响。[方法]本文通过在白蜡吉丁肿腿蜂搜寻到寄主前期为其提供寄主血淋巴和蜂蜜补充营养,调查有前期补充营养经历的肿腿蜂对寄主麻天牛的寄生率、母蜂生殖能力和子代蜂发育进程的变化。同时,给予刚羽化的肿腿蜂雌蜂短期的补充营养的过程,调查其寿命长短的变化情况。[结果]研究结果表明,寄主血淋巴和糖类物质均可以作为供肿腿蜂补充营养的潜在食物源。寄生前期取食寄主血淋巴和蜂蜜的肿腿蜂寄生率显著高于前期仅补充蒸馏水的个体。补充营养后可促使寄生蜂卵的成熟,可以使肿腿蜂更快的开始产卵进程。前期取食寄主血淋巴的肿腿蜂生殖能力显著高于寄生前期仅补充蒸馏水的个体,取食蜂蜜的肿腿蜂产卵量较前2组均无显著差异。寄生蜂母蜂是否补充营养对其子代的发育过程和性比无显著影响。此外,生存分析结果表明,刚羽化的肿腿蜂补充营养后,其寿命显著延长。取食寄主血淋巴或蜂蜜的寄生蜂寿命均约为羽化后无营养补充经历雌蜂个体的2倍。[结论]以上结果表明,白蜡吉丁肿腿蜂在寄生过程开始前期的补充营养过程可以显著的增强其对寄主害虫的控制作用和延长其寿命。取食蜂蜜或寄主血淋巴对肿腿蜂生殖和寿命的增强作用相近。建议在害虫的生物防治中,可以通过在天敌释放区周边配植一定的蜜源植物以此实现对天敌昆虫资源更有效的利用和保护。     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of lombardy poplar (Populus nigra L. var.italica Koehne) using stem segments

Genetically transformed lombardy poplar (Populus nigra L. var.italica Koehne) plants were regenerated by co-cultivation of stem segments withAgrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 that harbored a binary vector (pBI121) which included genes for β-glucuronidase (GUS) and neomycin phosphotransferase. Successful transformation was confirmed by the ability of stem segments to produce calli in the presence of kanamycin, histochemical and fluorometric assays of GUS activity in plant tissues, and Southern blot analysis.     

Impact of indigenous aphids on development of the invasive common ragweed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ambrosia artemisiifolia</Emphasis> L.) in Hungary

The common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia is a widespread invasive weed species in Europe. In order to estimate the deteriorative effect of native arthropods on the invasive ragweed the effect of three indigenous aphid species on plant development and pollen production was studied. Common ragweed plants grown in a greenhouse were artificially infested with five apterous individuals of either Aphis fabae, Brachycaudus helichrysi or Myzus persicae at the 4-leaf stage. Feeding by all three aphid species over a 5-week period significantly reduced plant height, the number of male inflorescences, the length of racemes, pollen emission and plant dry mass. Brachycaudus helichrysi produced the largest colonies, followed by A. fabae and M. persicae. In a host plant choice test, B. helichrysi showed significant preference for ragweed over sunflower, whereas A. fabae preferred sunflower and M. persicae did not show any preference. In a field experiment, the growth rate of A. fabae on caged ragweed plants was similar to that in the greenhouse, but the final numbers of B. helichrysi and M. persicae after 30 days was ten and seven times lower than under greenhouse conditions, respectively. On exposed field plants, B. helichrysi was more abundant than other species. However, no aphid species affected the height or dry mass of either caged or exposed plants during a 30-day period. Under controlled conditions aphids effectively hampered development and pollen production of ragweed, however, under Hungarian field conditions the development of ragweed was much more dynamic, therefore no deleterious effect of aphid feeding occurred.     

Mass rearing of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neochrysocharis formosa</Emphasis> (Westwood) (Eulophidae: Hymenoptera), a parasitoid of leafminers (Agromyzidae: Diptera)

A method for mass rearing the parasitoid Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) was developed, using the leafminer Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) as insect host, and the Phaseolus vulgaris L. bean as host plant. About 1,500 parasitoids per tray of 84 plants emerged from about 2,000 leafminer larvae; 70% of these were females. The most suitable release density of host was two pairs of leafminer adults per bean plant, and that of parasitoid was three pairs per 24 leafminer larvae. Adult parasitoids were harvested based on positive photo-tactic response with 94.5% efficiency. Plants were improved by trimming their tips to increase the leaf area. The trimming process increased the number of leafminer larvae by about 32%. Furthermore, nitrogen fertilization of plants overcame the size reduction of the insects due to continuous rearing. Rearing of leafminer under light—dark (16:8 h) cycle decreased the development period of larvae and pupae. In addition, it restricted the time and duration of larval emergence and adult eclosion. Storage of parasitoid males and females at 7 and 10°C ± 0.5, respectively, proved to be optimal. The fertility of the mass-produced parasitoids after 1 year of rearing reduced by about 23%, and the sex ratio shifted toward males. In conclusion, successful mass production of N. formosa was achieved through designing suitable rearing cage and an efficient harvesting device, improving the host plant, and determining the age and the conditions for cold storage of the parasitoid and its host. Next, we checked the characteristics of the mass-produced wasps to ensure the efficacy when used in the field.     

Field Performance of a Protective Collar against Damage by Hylobius abietis

The effectiveness of a plastic collar designed to protect planted seedlings against damage caused by Hylobius abietis (L.) (Col., Curculionidae) was evaluated at 63 planting sites in southern Sweden during 1979 and 1980. Nearly 10 000 collar‐protected pine and spruce plants and 10 000 controls were carefully examined for Hylobius‐damage and other injuries. In addition, the impact of some microsite factors on weevil damage and collar performance was evaluated, and the height growth was measured. The protective effect of the collar for two seasons after planting was comparable to that of insecticides and was best at sites with sparse vegetation and high weevil pressure. Proper application of the collar was crucial for good control. Collars were not observed to affect plant growth. Soil scarification reduced mortality in both collared plants and controls.     

油茶织蛾生物学特性研究

Casmara patrona is one of the main borer pests damaging Camellia oleifera in China. Few reports about this insect were published. The life history, biological characteristics and natural enemies of C. patrona were investigated through field survey and laboratory observation in this study. The results showed that C. patrona had one generation in one year or two years, and overwintered as 3rd-5th instar larva in Zhejiang Province. About 88 percent of larvae began to pupate in early May, and the rest kept feeding till the next year. The adults could be observed from early June to early July, and the peak of emergence occurred in late June. The adults began to oviposit in late June and terminated in early July. The eggs started hatching in early July, and then the larvae bored into the branch to feed. The entrance holes of the larvae distributed predominately in the middle of the eastern and southern part of C. oleifera tree. The larva had five instars, and there were 10-50 days when the larva did not feed between consecutive instars.     

Damage characteristics of three boring pests in Artemisia ordosica

The population density and distribution of the three major boring pests, Holcocerus artemisiae, Sphenoptera sp. and Adosopius sp. were studied in their host plant Artemisia ordosica. Results show that the larvae of H. artemisiae mainly bore the rhizome of A. ordosica, but also the larvae of Sphenoptera sp. and Adosopius sp. bore the rhizome of A. tordosica. The adults of Sphenoptera sp. and Adosopius sp. feed on the leaves of A. ordosica as a nutritional supplement. The distribution of the larvae of three pests in their host plant is completely different. H. artemisiae and Sphenoptera sp. are distributed in the whole A. ordosica plant. The newly hatched larvae first feed on the phloem and xylem of stem and then burrow to the roots before the winter of the same year. However, Adosopius sp. is distributed mainly in the roots. The newly hatched larvae move from the phloem to the xylem, and gradually damage the lower part of the trunk. The larvae of the three pests sometimes coexist in a single A. ordosica plant. However, the probability of the coexistence of the three pests is very small. The highest probability of coexistence of two pests was observed in Sphenoptera sp. and H. artemisiae, while the probability of coexistence of Sphenoptera sp. and Adosopius sp. as well as H. artemisiae and Adosopius sp. was smaller. The reasons for coexistence or its avoidance are not only related to the amount of food provided nor the volume of larval living space in a single A. ordosica plant, but also related to the development characteristics of different kinds of larvae and interspecific competition.