Is there meaningful plant resistance to diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in citrus rootstock germplasm?

Host plant resistance to the Diaprepes root weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) was assessed for seedlings of 54 Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. selections and two families of progeny from crosses between Citrus and P. trifoliata. Weight gain was consistently lower when larvae were reared in pots containing the progeny of Citrus reticulata Blanco 'Sunki' x P. trifoliata 'Flying Dragon' compared with larvae reared on progeny of 'Pearl' (C. reticulata x C. paradisi Macf.) x 'Flying Dragon'. This is the first evidence of genetic control of resistance to the Diaprepes root weevil within sexually compatible citrus rootstock germplasm. There was a significant positive correlation between percentage root loss and larval weight gain within the resistant progeny, indicating a possible antixenotic effect. Two varieties of P. trifoliata were identified as more resistant than 'Flying Dragon' based on larval weight gain.