Plant phylogeny determines host selection and acceptance of the oligophagous leaf beetle Cassida rubiginosa.

As far as we are aware, this is the first demonstration of a herbivorous insect that exhibits a phylogenetic pattern to olfactory host plant selection. Host plant utilisation by C. rubiginosa in New Zealand will be mostly restricted to Cirsium and Carduus species, with minimal potential for impact on other Cardueae weeds. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.