Aspects of the biology of Metriona elatior Klug (1829) (Coleoptera: Chysomelidae) on Solanum viarum Dunal (Solanaceae)

Abstract

Aspects of the biology of Metriona elatior (Klug) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae) on Solanum viarum were studied in laboratory. To setup the tests the insects came from a rearing stock maintained on plants of Solanum viarum Dunal (Solanaceae). From this population tests were done in order to study the following parameters: mean number of egg cases per day; mean number eggs in egg clusters; mean number of larvae generated per egg clusters; incubation period and eggs viability; number, duration and viability of each instar; period and viability of pre-pupal and pupae stages; duration and viability of period from egg to adult; longevity of adult; and the mean of the leaf area fed by larvae and adults. The most important results were:mean number of egg cases per day 16.23 ± 0.60; the mean number eggs in egg clusters 5.90 ± 1.08 the mean number of larvae per egg clusters 5.12± 0.15 incubation period of 7.85 ± 0.72 days, the number of instars was 5; larvae period of 3.76 ± 0.14; 3.56 ± 0.17; 3.88 ± 0.24; 5.69 ± 0.36; 6.46 ± 0.22 days, respectivelly from the first to fifth instars; pre-pupal period of 2.54 ± 0.14, pupae period of 9.31 ± 0.13 days; longevity of adult of 115.82 ± 11.57 days. The fifth instars and adults were the development stage that the showed major potential of leaf area feeding