Study of morphology and host preference of field bindweed leaf-feeding beetle Hypocassida subferruginea (Col., Chrysomelidae) in Kurdistan province

Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) is one of the most important weeds of fields and orchards over the world. Up to now lots of studies have been performed considering its biological control that insects have the highest share. We spotted a leaf-feeder beetle of C. arvensis, named Hypocassida subferruginea (Col.; Chrysomelidae), on farms, in Kurdistan province (Sanandaj, Kamyaran and Divandareh Counties). Adults and larvae feed on the leaves. According to our observations, the body length of male and female is 4.5and 5.3 mm respectively. In addition, this species has 5 larval stages with prepupal and pupal stages. The lengths of all larval instars, prepupa and pupa were calculated as follows: 1st instar: 1.5±0.1 mm, 2nd instar: 2.3±0.2 mm, 3rd instar: 3.0±0.5 mm, 4th instar: 4.2±0.1 mm, 5th instar: 5.1±0.1 mm, prepupa: 5.2±0.1 mm and pupa: 5.4±0.2. Moreover, the insect found to overwinter as adults in the soil and emerged in late April. Therefore, they have five generations per year. The results of host preference tests revealed that H. subferruginea feeds only field bindweed as compared to the other plants such as tomatoes, potatoes, chickpea or wheat.