FEEDING PREFERENCES OF LARVAL AND ADULT MICROTHECA-OCHROLOMA (COLEOPTERA, CHRYSOMELIDAE) FOR CRUCIFER FOLIAGE

Feeding preferences of first and third instars, and the adult yellowma rgined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma Stal, for the foliage of cabb age, Brassica. oleracea var capitata L.; collard, B. oleracea var acep hala L.; mustard, B. juncea Cosson; turnip, B. rapa L.; and radish, Ra phanus sativus L., were evaluated with leaf disk choice tests. Each of the three developmental stages showed statistically significant (P < 0.05) feeding preference for some crucifer hosts over others. In gener al, turnip and mustard were the more preferred plants, and cabbage, th e least preferred. Although first instars strongly preferred turnip to all other plants, third instars showed equal preference for turnip an d mustard, and adult beetles consumed about the same amount of turnip, mustard, and radish. Beetles' choice of leaf disk was not significant ly influenced (P > 0.05) by the host plant on which they were conditio ned prior to feeding preference evaluation.