Population ecology of Leptinotarsa undecimlineata Stål (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): population dynamics, mortality factors, and potential natural enemies for biological control of the Colorado potato beetle

A 1.5-year study on the population ecology of Leptinotarsa undecimlineata Stål was conducted in Honduras, a country that forms part of the aboriginal home of Leptinotarsa beetles. Life tables were constructed using populations of L. undecimlineata found on one of its native hosts, Solanum lanceolatum Cav. (Solanales: Solanaceae). L. undecimlineata has two distinct generations per year, the largest one coinciding with the rainy season lasting from August to November. The highest mortality was found in the egg stage and was caused by predators. The most common predators observed were Lebia sp. (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Cycloneda sanguinea L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Perillus confluens (Herrich–Schaeffer) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). The pupal stage also had significant mortality, which was caused by a complex of parasitoids belonging to the genus Myiopharus (Diptera: Tachinidae). This study has shown that there is a significant influence of natural enemies, particularly predators, on L. undecimlineata population dynamics. New species of natural enemies were identified and could potentially become part of a biological control strategy for control of Colorado potato beetle, L. decemlineata (Say).