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Host plant finding in phytophagous insects: the case of the Colorado potato beetle
Author(s) -
Jermy Tibor,
Szentesi Árpád,
Horváth Judit
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
entomologia experimentalis et applicata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1570-7458
pISSN - 0013-8703
DOI - 10.1111/j.1570-7458.1988.tb02480.x
Subject(s) - leptinotarsa , colorado potato beetle , biology , host (biology) , pest analysis , foraging , population , ecology , adaptation (eye) , entomology , botany , demography , neuroscience , sociology
A short critical review is given on the literature of host plant finding in phytophagous insects with main emphasis on the Colorado potato beetle ( Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, col.: Chrysomelidae). The literature data are compared with the results of field experiments: (1) the foraging behaviour of adults was observed in a field arena on bare ground, and (2) adults were released in closed plant stands and recaptured by potted potato plants. It is concluded that host plant finding is a chance event in this species. The observed high directionality of move must be an adaptation increasing probability of host finding. Implications on population dynamics and agricultural practice are discussed.