The effect of host switching on biological characteristics of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata under greenhouse conditions

This research was carried out to study the effect of host switching on the biological characteristics of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, under greenhouse conditions. One generation of the pest was reared on potato. Then, biological characteristics of the Colorado potato beetle was studied on three solanaceous species including tomato, eggplant, and pepper along with Agria (potato cultivar as control treatment). Studied species were planted in pots and on each pot, sleeve cages were set up, in which 15 first instar larvae were released and reared. Larval weight on the 12th day after releasing, mortality percentages of larvae and pupae and durations for these stages were determined on four studied species. In another experiment, durations of pre-oviposition, oviposition, and post-oviposition of the pest were investigated on four studied species. Also, daily and total fecundities of the pest were determined on them. Analysis of variance of data showed that the differences between species were significant for all studied traits excep for egg hatching and duration of eggs incubation of (P