Warm season turf taxa of centipedegrass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack], bermudagrass [Cynodon L.C. Rich, spp.], St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze], and zoysiagrass [Zoysia Willd. spp.] were evaluated for tolerance to adult twolined spittlebug (Prosapia bicincta Say) feeding in choice and no-choice experiments, and for their ability to support nymphal development (antibiosis potential). Among 133 selections evaluated, few showed evidence of potential antibiosis and/or improved tolerance over commercially available cultivars. Most of the centipedegrass taxa evaluated were susceptible to the spittlebug. However, some potential antibiosis among Chinese centipedegrass taxa was identified, and there was a gradient in the ability to tolerate spittlebug feeding. Among centipedegrasses, TC 358 and TC 362 showed moderate tolerance and recovery in no-choice and choice trials. The most tolerant bermudagrasses in no-choice trials were 00 - 23, 03 - 14, and 03 - 15. Centipedegrasses overall were the best hosts for nymph development, but TC 379, TC 422 and E. ciliaris did not support nymph development, and TC 341 and TC 399 showed very low numbers of nymphs. The bermudagrasses 00 - 23 and 00 - 28 and the St. Augustinegrasses T638 and Mercedes failed to support nymph development.
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Journal of Entomological Science
Vol. 49 • No. 2
April 2014
Vol. 49 • No. 2
April 2014
Bermudagrass
Centipedegrass
host plant resistance
Prosapia bicincta
seashore paspalum
turfgrass
twolined spittlebug