Abstract
The Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, is a major agricultural pest of solanaceous crops in the United States. Historically, a multitude of insecticides have been used to control problematic populations. Due to increasing resistance to insecticides, novel compounds and methodologies are warranted for the control of beetle populations. Mixed-isomer conjugated linoleic acid has been studied in-depth for its beneficial properties to mammalian systems. At the same time, studies have demonstrated that conjugated linoleic acid can manipulate fatty acid composition in non-mammalian systems, resulting in embryo mortality. Consequently, experiments were conducted to assess the effects of foliar-applied conjugated linoleic acid on larval growth, embryogenesis, and feeding preference in Colorado potato beetle. Both maternal and deterrent effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid were assessed. Conjugated linoleic acid demonstrated desirable insecticidal properties, including increased larval mortality, slowed larval development, antifeedant effects, and decreased egg viability after maternal ingestion.
Highlights
The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) is a major agricultural pest of both commercial and subsistence solanaceous crops
Conjugated linoleic acid insecticide targeting Leptinotarsa decemlineata beetles were hand-collected from the canopy of potato plants, placed in plastic containers, and transported to the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Conjugated linoleic acid affects the growth of 2nd instar L. decemlineata larva in a dose dependent manner
Summary
The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) is a major agricultural pest of both commercial and subsistence solanaceous crops. With a range encompassing North America, Europe, and Asia, it is considered one of the greatest insect threats to agriculture and food security due to its ability to develop pesticide resistance at alarming rates [1]. Yield reduction of between 50–100% can be observed in solanaceous crops, including commercial potato cultivars which have a production value of approximately $4 billion annually (United States, 2016) [2]. L. decemlineata populations have been controlled with numerous insecticidal compounds including, but not limited to, DDT, paris green, arsenical pesticides, and other historical insecticides [1]. Current management includes combinations of insecticides that are both foliar and soil-applied, and systemic chemistries from multiple insecticide resistance action committee (IRAC) modes of action (MoA) groups.
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