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Local Differences in Host Use by Two Populations of the Colorado Potato Beetle
Author(s) -
Horton David R.,
Capinera John L.,
Chapman Phillip L.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1941032
Subject(s) - biology , host (biology) , colorado potato beetle , population , diapause , ecology , colonization , solanum tuberosum , range (aeronautics) , larva , botany , demography , materials science , sociology , composite material
Local differences in performance on three host species (Solanum sarrachoides, S. rostratum, potato [S. tuberosum]) were demonstrated for two nonagricultural populations of Colorado potato beetle. Populations from north—central and northeastern Colorado showed differential larval growth rate, survival, size, and tendency to diapause. Statistically significant host x population interactions indicated that these differences were host—species dependent. Further analysis suggested that the two populations were most successful on the locally abundant and annually predictable host species of their respective community. Population differences in performance were pronounced on one wild host species (S. sarrachoides); performance was similar on the other host species. Extent of host specificity was related to composition of the flora. The population that was exposed to all three host species in the field showed high rates of survival on all hosts; there was no indication that beetles from this population showed major trade—offs in performance among hosts. The second population showed highly reduced survival and growth on the wild host species that is absent from its immediate range. Implications of these results for addressing questions about the beetle's original host shift to potato are discussed. Our results, in particular the success of these nonpest populations on potato, suggest that no major physiological changes in performance were necessary in the beetle for colonization of potato.