Genetic Variation in Oviposition between and within Populations of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract

Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) collected in Morelos, Mexico, and Rhode Island, United States, differed in oviposition ability and oviposition preference. Adult Morelos beetles laid no eggs without first feeding on Solanum angustifolium Miller. When given both potato and S. angustifolium, Morelos beetles preferred to lay eggs on the latter. They ceased oviposition when confined on potato and resumed oviposition when returned to S. angustifolium. No significant genetic variation in either oviposition ability or oviposition preference for potato within the Morelos population was discovered by full-sib and parent–offspring analyses. There was no significant genetic covariance between feeding acceptance and oviposition preference of Morelos beetles. Variation in oviposition preference for potato existed among individual females within the Rhode Island population. These results suggest major genetic changes might have been involved in the original host-range expansion of L. decemlineata to include potato.