A Meridic Diet for the Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)

Foliage of the potato, Solanum tuberosum (L.), was analyzed previously to determine its nutritional content. This information was used to help develop a meridic diet for rearing the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. Various test diets were prepared, and types and concentrations of proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, and ascorbic acid were tested for their influence on growth and weight gain of larvae reared from the egg stage on diet. At 2.8% protein or less, neither egg albumin nor casein produced adult beetles. Adults were reared with casein concentrations of 3.0 and 4.2%, but not at 5% casein. An abbreviated list of foliar amino acids was as effective as the complete foliar complement in the rearing of adults. Oat flour or potato flakes were suitable carbohydrate sources for rearing to the adult stage. The composition of a meridic diet is presented which was used for rearing the Colorado potato beetle from the egg to the adult stage, in the absence of host plant material.