Abstract:

The physiological response of Haloxylon ammodendron fed on by Desertobia heloxylonia larvae was investigated by measuring changes in contents of chlorophyll, soluble sugar, soluble protein, free proline and malondialdehyde in the shoots. The results showed that the change of chlorophyll content was not correlated with the number of larvae. The larvae feeding significantly caused changes in the total content of osmotic regulation substances and content of MDA in the damaged and undamaged shoots of a H. ammodendron plant, and the changes were positively correlated with the number of larvae, indicating that accumulation of osmotic regulation substances and increase in MDA content in H. ammodendron in response to D. heloxylonia larvae feeding were systematic responses.

Key words: Haloxylon ammodendron, Desertobia heloxylonia, physiological response, eremophyte