Sabzalian, M.R., Hatami, B., & Mirlohi, A.F. 2004 Mealybug, Phenococcus solani, and barley aphid, Sipha maydis, response to endophyte-infected tall and meadow fescues.. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 113(3): 205-209.

Notes: Mealybugs and aphids are insects which damage grass species. The effects of fungal endophytes on the feeding of the mealybug, Phenococcus solani Ferris (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae), and barley aphid, Sipha maydis Passerini (Homoptera: Aphididae), on tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and meadow fescue, Festuca pratensis Huds., were studied under greenhouse conditions. Mealybugs preferred endophyte-free (E-) clones over their endophyte-infected (E+) counterparts. E+ plants had a significantly lower number of mealybugs than E- plants. A mixture of E+ and E- plants supported intermediate mealybug numbers, between pure plantings of E+ and E- grasses. Barley aphids released on to plant materials were deterred from feeding and could not persist on E+ plants. E- plants did not survive because of aphid damage, while E+ plants generally re-grew, but were damaged to some degree. The results showed that the use of pure stands of endophyte-infected grasses or a mixed stand of infected and non-infected plants may increase the persistence and durability of turf and forage grass species in the presence of foliar damaging insects.