Host-plant acceptance by geographic populations of the colorado potato beetle,Leptinotarsa decemlineata : Role of solanaceous alkaloids as sensory deterrents.

We used a detailed analysis of feeding behavior to investigate the role of solanaceous alkaloids as sensory-based feeding deterrents for the Colorado potato beetle,Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). Experiments were conducted on three geographic, host-adapted populations of beetles to determine whether evolutionary changes in host use have been accompanied by behavioral adaptations to alkaloids. Solanine and tomatine, steroidal glycoalkaloids found in two regional host plants, did not reduce leaf consumption or significantly alter behavior patterns of newly emerged beetles, including those from populations that normally will not feed on plants containing the compounds. Atropine, a tropane alkaloid found in several taxonomically related nonhost species, caused a significant increase in sampling behavior (indicating direct action on the sensory system) and reduced acceptance of treated potato leaves. We propose that variable acceptance of host plants among regional populations ofL. decemlineata has evolved independently of adaptations to alkaloids at the sensory level. To establish that secondary compounds such as atropine influence host choice in nature, field observations are needed to confirm that beetles routinely encounter, and sample, nonhost species.