Host Selection and Feeding Activity of <i>Leptocoris tagalicus</i> (Hemiptera: Rhopalidae)

Feeding responses were quantified using insect occurrence on fruit and feeding intensity measured from stylet sheath counts.</p><p dir="ltr">We found that feeding intensity and occurrence differed significantly among host treatments (P < 0.001), with macadamia receiving the greatest feeding intensity an insect occurrence of all host species tested. Macadamia fruit at early-to-advanced maturation stages (BBCH 75-87) supported substantially greater feeding than fruit at the earlier development stage (BBCH 72) (P < 0.001).

No differences in feeding intensity or occurrence were detected between nymphs and adults. </p><p dir="ltr">These findings provide the first experimental evidence that L. tagalicus readily selects macadamia fruit under controlled conditions and indicates that later stages of macadamia fruit development are most susceptible to feeding. These results create a foundation for understanding the emerging association between L. tagalicus and commercial macadamia production systems.</p><p><br></p>