Genetic Variation and the Potential for Host Range Evolution in the Leafmining Fly Amauromyza flavifrons (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

This study investigated patterns of genetic variation in host-use characters in the leafmining fly Amauromyza flavifrons Meigen. Females of this species readily oviposit on Beta vulgaris L., a nontraditional host plant upon which the larvae experience high levels of mortality. Experiments found significant genetic variation in oviposition response to B. vulgaris but not in either larval survival or growth on this plant species. In regions with high densities of B. vulgaris, it is predicted that the lack of genetic variation in larval survival and growth on this plant will constrain the adoption of this plant as a “true host plant” and, instead, females will evolve to have lower acceptance of this plant for oviposition.