Fecundity and longevity of the yellowmargined leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on crucifers

Fecundity and longevity of adult yellowmargined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma Stal, reared on cabbage, Brassica oleracea var capitata L.; collard, B. oleracea var acephala L.; mustard, B. juncea Cosson; turnip, B. rapa L.; and radish, Raphanus sativus L., were quantified in a laboratory experiment. Number of eggs per female (mean +/- SE) was significantly higher on turnip (490.7 +/- 116.0) than on collard (198.9 +/- 28.9) but did not differ significantly among cabbage (271.3 +/- 39.1), mustard (424.9 +/- 46.4), and radish (440.1 +/- 50.1). Daily oviposition was significantly higher on turnip (5.9 +/- 0.7) and mustard (5.9 +/- 0.4) than on collard (3.3 +/- 0.5), but was similar on cabbage (4.0 +/- 0.5) and radish (4.6 +/- 0.6). Beetles lived significantly longer on radish (109.2 +/- 5.9 d) than on cabbage (64.7 +/- 5.7 d), collard (63.9 +/- 5.7 d), mustard (75.9 +/- 6.1 d), or turnip (61.8 +/- 5.9 d). The sex of the beetle did not significantly affect longevity.