Potential novel hosts for the lily leaf beetle Lilioceris lilii Scopoli (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in eastern North America

Abstract

1. Introduced insects often incorporate native plants into their diets and might be expected to show a predilection for novel hosts that are phylogenetically related to their normal hosts. The lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is an introduced pest of cultivated lilies. Oviposition behaviour, larval behaviour, and development of L. lilii was examined on a range of potential host plants, as well as on the normal host, Asiatic hybrid lilies Lilium sp.2. Neonate larval feeding behaviour was quantified on 15 food plant species: 10 from the Liliales, three from the Asparagales and two eudicots. Larvae fed plants closely related to the genus Lilium were more likely to initiate feeding, less likely to abandon their food leaf, and consumed more leaf area.3. In no‐choice tests, females oviposited on the novel hosts Lilium philadelphicum, Medeola virginiana, Clintonia borealis, Streptopus amplexifolius, and Polygonatum biflorum; however, all but L. philadelphicum received very few eggs. Non‐Lilium novel hosts were not used for oviposition when presented along with Asiatic lilies in choice tests.4. A single individual was reared to the adult stage on the novel host S. amplexifolius. Several larvae survived to the pupal stage on M. virginiana, although no adults emerged from those pupae. Larvae reared on the native wood lily L. philadelphicum performed equally well or better than on the Asiatic cultivar.5. Our results indicate that the lily leaf beetle poses a threat to native Liliaceae. Several native Lilium species, including L. philadelphicum, are threatened or endangered in certain jurisdictions throughout their range; these species should be monitored closely for colonisation by the beetle.

First record of Lilioceris lilii in Greece

“…), Fritillaria spp., Cardiocrinum giganteum (Wallich) Makino and Maianthemum canadense Desfontaines (Lesage 1983, Livingston 1996, Cox 2001, Haye and Kenis 2004, Ernst et al 2007). Adults can be found feeding on a wider range of plants (Livingston 1996).…”

Distribution of Two Invasive Leaf Beetles,Pyrrhalta viburni(Paykull) andLilioceris lilii(Scopoli) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in Washington State

“…(Bouchard et al 2008;Cappuccino et al 2013;Cappuccino 2015). Ernst et al (2007) reared L. lilii on Lilium philadelphicum L. and Streptopus sp. in the laboratory, and larvae in our own laboratory consumed Lilium columbianum Leitchtlin with abandon.…”

Suitability of four palm species for the development of the invasive pest Brontispa longissima (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the field

“…Several exotic phytophagous insects have expanded their distribution by using new host-plants in novel habitats (He et al 2002;Mziray et al 2010;Takasu et al 2010). Therefore, to assess the probability of the establishment of exotic insects in new habitats, the potential host range of these insects should be studied (Louda et al 2003;van Lenteren et al 2006;Ernst et al 2007).…”