Effect of different temperature on the amount of feeding on Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The study aimed to investigate the effect of temperature on the feeding amount of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). It was examined that the pest feed more at which temperatures and in which biological stages. In addition, the effect of temperature on the feeding amount of the pest was explained using the Logan-10 model. For this purpose, the weight loss was determined by weighing the leafy branch piece taken from the potato plant, before and after the 24-hour feeding of the pest. At the same conditions, the amount of 24-hour water loss of the leafy branch was also determined and the net consumption amount was calculated. The experiments were carried out at 10 different temperatures between 17°C and 35°C in 2°C increments. According to the results obtained, the highest consumption amount of the pest was seen as 1,507.10 mg at 29°C in the second instar larvae, and the lowest consumption amount was seen as 199.80 mg at 17°C in the fourth instar larvae. Besides, the Logan-10 model curve fitted to the consumption amounts of the leafy branches by the pest and its parameters showed that the consumption increased up to a certain temperature and decreased to zero (37.18-37.87°C) after reaching the optimum temperature (27.99-28.81°C). As a result, it is possible to say that both biological stage and temperature have a non-linear effect on the feeding amount of the pest. Also, it is thought that important data was obtained for future studies on the seasonal change in the population, and the damage amount of the pest, and therefore the methods of controlling to be applied against this pest.