Host acceptance and food efficiency by Epilachna vigintioctopunctata on several host plants

Abstract

Epilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is commonly known as hadda beetle. This insect is a phytophagous and causes a serious pest and built a tremendous damage to solanaceaeous crops. The suitability of a certain host plant could affect on feeding activity and digestibility of food that support insect growth and development. Recently, food acceptance and suitability on several varieties of host plants by E. vigintioctopunctata has not been reported in Indonesia. The objective of this research was to investigate the host acceptance and food efficiency by E. vigintioctopunctata on several host plants. Both larvae and adults bite on six species of leaves Solanum melongena, S. tuberosum, Lycopersicon esculentum, Physalis angulata, Cucumis sativus, and Cucurbita pepo. The larvae and adult beetles mostly fed on S. melongena with the areal leaf consumed 6.75 and 1.771 cm2/insect/day, followed by L. esculentum, 4.416 and 1.35 cm2/insect/day. The average rate of consumption on L. esculentum by early 4th instar larvae was 1.5 x 105 μg/insect/day higher than S. melongena was 1.0 x 105 μg/insect/day. On the other hand, the average growth rate and efficiency of conversion of digested food were 3723.7 μg/insect/day and 43.17% higher than in S. melongena than L. esculentum were 2984.8 μg/insect/day and 19.94% respectively. This beetle has low consumption but high efficiency of utilization food on S. melongena.

Epilachna vigintioctopnctata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) umumnya dikenal sebagai kumbang Hadda. Serangga ini bersifat fitofag dan dapat menjadi hama utama serta menimbulkan kerusakan yang sangat berarti pada tanaman Solanaceae. Kesesuaian hama dan tanaman inang tertentu dapat mempengaruhi aktivitas makan dan kecernaan makanan yang mendukung pertumbuhan dan perkembangan serangga.