Feeding Preference of Micromelalopha troglodyta to 4 Poplar Varieties

The feeding preference of Micromelalopha troglodyta to four varieties of poplars (35#, I-69, 107# and I-72) was studied. The results showed that the feeding preference index of M. troglodyta to the four poplar varieties was in the order of 107#＞I-69＞I-72＞35#. The total soluble sugar content in the leaves of the four varieties was ordered as 107#＞I-72＞I-69＞35#, whereas the water content of the leaves was ordered as 35#＞I-69＞107#＞I-72. The correlation analysis indicated that the feeding preference of M. troglodyta was significantly positively related to the total soluble sugar content (0.870), whereas it was significantly negatively related to water content of the leaves (-0.775). There was a significant negative correlation between the total soluble sugar content and the water content of the poplar leaves (- 0.682).