Aspects of the biology of <em>Metriona elatior</em> Klug (1829) (Coleoptera: Chysomelidae) on <em>Solanum viarum</em> 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