Applied Entomology and Zoology (2002) 37, 551-557

Naoyuki Fujiyama and Haruo Katakura (2002)
Host plant suitability of Solanum japonense (Solanaceae) as an alternative larval food for three closely related Epilachna ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Applied Entomology and Zoology 37 (4), 551-557
Abstract: The host plant suitability of the solanaceous wild herb Solanum japonense as an alternative larval food for the three non-pest species of the Epilachna vigintioctomaculata complex, namely E. niponica, E. pustulosa, and E. yasutomii; was investigated under laboratory conditions. Three larval developmental traits (eclosion rate, developmental duration, and body size) were recorded together with the leaf area consumed throughout the developmental stages. All three ladybird species showed sufficient performance on S. japonense, although the suitability of S. japonense for Jarval development appeared to be highest for E. pustulosa and lowest for E. yasutomii. The measurements of leaf consumption revealed that E. niponica and E. pustulosa consumed a significantly larger leaf area of S. japonense than did E. yasutomii during the developmental stages. However, when the influence of interspecific body size difference was removed, leaf consumption was significantly smaller in E. niponica than it was in the other two species, suggesting a higher feeding efficiency of E. niponica upon digesting S. japonense leaves.
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Database assignments for author(s): Haruo Katakura

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Epilachna (genus)		Japan