The Open Entomology Journal (2015) 9, 1-6

Atsuhiko Nagasawa and Kazuhiro Matsuda (2015)
Factors determining the host range of two tortoise beetles, Cassida nebulosa L. and C. piperata Hope (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Japan
The Open Entomology Journal 9, 1-6
Abstract: We investigated the relationship between host-plant use by two tortoise beetles, Cassida nebulosa and C. piperata, in a field and their performance under laboratory conditions. Sixteen plant species were grown in the experimental field with C. nebulosa being observed to grow on three chenopodiaceous species (Chenopodium album, C. album var. centrorubrum, and C. ficifolium), while C. piperata grew on the same three chenopodiaceous species plus three amaranthaceous species (Amaranthus blitum, A. hybridus, and A. retroflexus). Host-plant selection in the field was directly correlated to the larval growth under laboratory conditions. Thus, the two tortoise beetles selected plant species that were suitable as larval food under natural conditions. In the laboratory experiments, the survival period of adults and the number of eggs produced showed that adults have wider food ranges than larvae. Therefore, food quality is less important as a limiting factor for adults compared to larvae. In addition, the field observation showed that C. nebulosa laid eggs only on suitable host plant species, whereas C. piperata laid eggs on both suitable hosts and non-hosts.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): Atsuhiko Nagasawa

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Chenopodium album (weed)		Japan
	Cassida nebulosa		Japan
Cassida piperata (weed bioagent)	Chenopodium album (weed)		Japan