Comparative development, reproduction, and leaf area consumption by Mexican bean beetles Epilachna varivestis on Phaseolus spp. kidney beans, lima beans and soybeans.

Reference Report for IND79074810

Title:	Comparative development, reproduction, and leaf area consumption by Mexican bean beetles Epilachna varivestis on Phaseolus spp. kidney beans, lima beans and soybeans.
Authors:	Shepard, M., Bernhardt, J.L.
Source:	J. Ga. Entomol. Soc. 1979, 14(3):191-198
Abstract:	Rearing larvae and adults of the legume pest Epilachna varivestis Muls. on different combinations of the leaves of soyabean, Phaseolus vulgaris and P. lunatus in laboratory tests (at 27 deg C) in South Carolina in 1977 affected the biology of the beetle. Larvae fed soyabean had a 22% longer development period and gained 26% less weight than did larvae reared on Phaseolus spp. Beetles reared on soyabean when either larvae or adults had lower fecundity, a shorter life-span and a longer preoviposition period than did those fed Phaseolus spp. throughout their entire life-cycle. Adults reared on soyabean during a mean life-span of 8 weeks damaged more leaf surface area than did those fed Phaseolus spp. for a comparable period.

Funded by the USDA-ARS. Developed by the USDA-ARS SoyBase and Legume Clade Database group at the Iowa State University, Ames, IA

U.S. Public Domain