Host-associated differentiation in a highly polyphagous, sexually reproducing insect herbivore.

ABSTRACT: Insect herbivores may undergo genetic divergence on their host plants through host-associated differentiation (HAD). Much of what we know about HAD involves insect species with narrow host ranges (i.e., specialists) that spend part or all their life cycle inside their hosts, and/or reproduce asexually (e.g., parthenogenetic insects), all of which are thought to facilitate HAD. However, sexually reproducing polyphagous insects can also exhibit HAD. Few sexually reproducing insects have been tested for HAD, and when they have insects from only a handful of potential host-plant populations have been tested, making it difficult to predict how common HAD is when one considers the entire species' host range. This question is particularly relevant when considering insect pests, as host-associated

SUBMITTER: Antwi JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4523351 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature