Host range and reproductive traits of Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) and Diabrotica viridula (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), two species of South American pest rootworms, with notes on other species of Diabroticina

The reproductive biology, and larval and adult host rant e of Diabrotica speciosa (Germar), Diabrotica viridula (F.), Acalymma spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae), and other Diabroticina are described. These Diabroticina are pests of several crops in South and Central America. The adult feeding hosts are compared, among species, and within species in different seasons, Laboratory oviposition and larval development tests oil several hosts, provided the basis to construct a table of putative hosts, and general reproductive traits related to two species groups of Diabrotica (virgifera and fucata). Eggs of D. speciosa and D. viridula. were exposed to low temperatures to detect the ability to be dormant. Multivoltinism and lack of egg diapause was demonstrated for the three species, and field data suggest other South American species present the same traits. Diabrotica speciosa (fucata group) larvae developed well on maize (Zea mays I.). peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), and soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) roots, and not so well oil pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne and Cucurbita andreana Naudin), beaus (Phaseolus spp.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) roots. Oviposition preferences roughly paralleled larval suitability. but there was a clear preference for cucurbits as adult food, when a available pigweed (Amaranthus quitensis Knuth), sunflower (Ikhanthus annuus. L.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were in second place. Diabrotica viridula (virgifera group), preferred maize as adult and larval food, and for oviposition. Acalymma spp.. were associated in every respect to cucurbits, Other species showed varying degrees of preference for oviposition and feeding, but in general. cucurbits were the preferred adult feeding hosts. Followed by several wild plants, and maize the preferred oviposition host. Whereas cucurbits A were consistently visited by the adults of every species, the virgifera group species ovipositioned and developed exclusively on Mono-cotyledonae, However, D, speciosa. as expected for a fucata group species ovipositcd and developed oil a wide range of hosts. This new knowledge oil South American Diabroticina is discussed in the context of the current knowledge oil North American Diabroticina, Differences and similarities are discussed in connection with their pestiferous status, and their potential for adaptation to new hosts.