Larvae and adults of Metriona elatior (Klug) are oligophagous on a range of species of Solanum L. It remains unknown whether structural particularities of these plants influence performance or feeding preference of the beetle. In this study, survivorship, developmental rates, and size attained by M. elatior were evaluated for larvae reared on six species of Solanum. They were also tested with respect to larval feeding preference and female oviposition choice. The larvae performed better on Solanum aculeatissimum Jacquin, Solanum atropurpureum Shrank, and Solanum viarum Dunal compared to Solanum melongena L., Solanum guaraniticum Hassl, and Solanum sisymbriifolium Lamarck. In no-choice tests, first and fifth instars fed less on S. guaraniticum than on the other plants. In multiple-choice tests, the first instar showed no preference, but when reared on S. aculeatissimum and S. atropurpureum, the fifth instar fed more on these plants than on the others. Oviposition was greatest on S. atropurpureum, which also led to the highest consumption and best performance. These results indicate that performance and feeding preference are linked in M. elatior, except on S. viarum which supported adequate performance but was less preferred by larvae.
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1 December 2013
Feeding Preference and Performance of Metriona elatior (Klug) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), an Oligophagous Cassidine Beetle that Feeds on Solanum L. (Solanaceae) in Southern Brazil
Danessa Schardong Boligon,
Gilson Rudinei Pires Moreira
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The Coleopterists Bulletin
Vol. 67 • No. 4
December 2013
Vol. 67 • No. 4
December 2013
behavior
Cassidinae
feeding choices
Neotropics
oligophagy