Clemson University TigerPrints All Theses Theses 12-2015 Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on the Life History of the Madeira Mealybug (Phenacoccus madeirensis) and the Molecular Composition of its Host Plant Stephanie Alliene Rhodes Clemson University Follow this and additional works at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses Recommended Citation Rhodes, Stephanie Alliene, "Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on the Life History of the Madeira Mealybug (Phenacoccus madeirensis) and the Molecular Composition of its Host Plant" (2015). All Theses. 2584. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/2584 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Theses by an authorized administrator of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. EFFECTS OF NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE MADEIRA MEALYBUG (PHENACOCCUS MADEIRENSIS) AND THE MOLECULAR COMPOSITION OF ITS HOST PLANT A Thesis Presented to the Graduate School of Clemson University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science Entomology by Stephanie Alliene Rhodes December 2015 Accepted by: Dr. Juang-Horng Chong, Committee Co-Chair Dr .Matthew Turnbull, Committee Co-Chair Dr. Peter Adler Dr. Dara Park ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate how different nitrogen fertilization rates of host-plants influence the development, fecundity, and nutritional status of a pest insect, the Madeira mealybug (Phenococcus madeirensis Green, Hemiptera: Psuedococcidae). This study evaluated the effects of nitrogen fertilization (0, 75, 150 and 300 ppm N) on the growth, % nitrogen, % carbon, lipid, and protein contents of basil plants (Ocimum basilicum L., Lamiaceae), and the subsequent impacts of host-plant nutritional status on the life history and total lipid and protein contents of the Madeira mealybug.