Effect of chickpea genotypes on Liriomyza cicerina oviposition preference and insect performance

Chickpea Leaf miner, Liriomyza cicerina Rond., behavior was investigated regarding the oviposition preference and insect performance. In choice situation, the insect was able to discriminate among the presented cultivars of chickpea and showed an oviposition preference. The resistant and the susceptible plants had the lowest and highest number of eggs per plant, respectively. In the no-choice test, the insect laid fewer eggs on the improved lines and oviposition was significantly correlated to the insect performance in terms of larval survival and adult emergence. In both the choice and no-choice tests, oviposition was also correlated with the leaf surface area. The female incentive to produce eggs was affected by the presented plants as they laid more eggs in the presence of susceptible plants. High attraction for oviposition could be used in attract-and-kill pest management designs.