Studies On Artificial Rearing Techniques Of Plagiodera Versicolora (Laicharting)

The imported willow leaf beetle, Plagiodera versicolora (Laicharting), is multivoltine defoliator of Populus and Salix spp. Rearing method of the insect with fresh poplar foliage and artificial diets was studied. The beetles' biological characteristics and their behavioral responses on natural and artificial diets were also observed. Artificial diets greatly facilitate insect research by reducing costs and by minimizing variability in nutrition. The main results are as following: 1. Food quality significantly influenced larval development and adult oviposition of Plagiodera versicolora. After feeding on old poplar leaves, the larval developmental rates decreased, the instars duration prolonged, and it had small pupa sizes and lower pupation rates, along with the completely inhibition of ovipostion. 2. Detailed studies were carried out to observe the biological characteristics of Plagiodera versicolora, to describe the morphological characteristics and life behavior during the stage of egg, lava, pupae and imago respectively. We correct the error of the study of Plagiodera versicolora' biological trait before. It was reported that Plagiodera versicolora larvae have 4 instars in one life cycle, but only 3 instars were found in this study. 3. Five formulations of artificial diets were developed for laboratory rearing of the imported willow leaf beetle, Plagiodera versicolora (Laicharting). To reduce microbial contamination of the media, procedures were developed for separating egg masses and sterilizing egg surfaces. The rearing procedure of Plagiodera versicolora was formed. 4. The development dynamics of Plagiodera versicolora during its stage of egg, lava, pupae and imago were recorded with feeding the insect with the five formulations of artificial diets respectively.