Bean leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) preference for two Phaseolus beans over soybean

Abstract

In the eastern and central U.S., bean leaf beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata (Förster) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a pest of legume crops, on which adults chew holes in leaves, can destroy seedlings, and can injure pods (Smelser and Pedigo 1992a, J. Econ. Entomol. 85: 2408 - 2412; Smelser and Pedigo 1992b, J. Econ. Entomol. 85: 2399 - 2403; Koch et al. 2005, Crop Prot. 24: 734 - 742). The beetle is also a primary vector of bean pod mottle virus, which can further reduce yield and seed quality in soybeans (Giesler et al. 2002, Plant Dis. 86: 1280 - 1289). On the Delmarva Peninsula, snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.), and soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), are each important crops, and relatively high populations of C. trifurcata occur. To better understand the potential intercrop movement of the beetle and its implications for pest management, we conducted beetle host plant preference experiments...