Preference of Conioscinella nuda (Diptera: Chloropidae) Among Four Native Grass Species

Adult flies of Conioscinella nuda (Adams) were collected from four native grass species, big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash], sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii Hack), and Indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash] to determine the insect's preference among these species. The mean number of insects collected varied from 9.7 to 27.0 adults per 15 plants, and the order of preference of C. nuda was big bluestem, little bluestem, sand bluestem, and Indiangrass. Differences did occur among plant species for C. nuda preference (P < 0.05) where big and little bluestem were different from sand bluestem and Indiangrass (P < 0.05). The observed differences between the species may be related to spikelet pubescent hairs. The spikelets of big bluestem and little bluestem are mostly glabrous compared to those of sand bluestem and Indiangrass which are covered with conspicuous hairs. Host plant resistance may offer the best approach for controlling C. nuda.