Susceptibility of willow clones (Salix spp.) to herbivory by Phyllodecta vulgatissima (L.) and Galerucella lineola (Fab.) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

Summary. Levels of damage by mixed natural infestations of the leaf‐feeding chrysomelid beetles, Phyllodecta vulgatissima (L.) (the blue willow beetle) and Galerucella lineola (Fab.) (the brown willow beetle), were determined in replicated field plots of 24 Salix clones at Long Ashton (Bristol, UK) during 1993–94. Over the same period, the host plant preferences of both chrysomelids were investigated in a standard multiple‐choice laboratory procedure, where beetles were enclosed in Petri dishes with leaf discs cut from young pot‐grown trees propagated from shoot cuttings taken from 20 of the 24 willow clones represented in the field study. The laboratory experiments indicated that P. vulgatissima and G. lineola had similar host plant preferences in the range of willows examined (r >0.85). In both field and laboratory, the least preferred Salix clones and hybrids were those of 5. eriocephala, followed by S. purpurea, S. burjatica, S. dasyclados and S. triandra. Clones of S. eriocephala and S. purpurea were frequently rejected altogether in laboratory tests. Most preferred were clones of S. viminalis and several hybrids of S. viminalis, S. aurita, S. caprea and S. cinerea. These results substantiate the reports that P. vulgatissima and G. lineola are deterred from feeding on willows which have relatively high concentrations of phenolic (salicylate) glucosides in the leaves. The least preferred willows, particularly S. eriocephala, S. purpurea and S. burjatica, could be of great potential value in plant breeding for resistance to these willow beetle pests.