Feeding Preference of Altica deserticola (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae) for Leaves of Glycyrrhiza inflata and G. uralensis

A leaf-disc-test method was used under controlled laboratory conditions to determine the feeding preference of Altica deserticola Latreille (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on leaves two liquorice species, Glycyrrhiza inflata Batalin and G. uralensis Fisch. ex DC. Leaf hardness thickness, cuticle nitrogen tannin contents were compared between liquorices explore their resistance A. deserticola. The larvae ate only leaves, while adults fed both species but preferred those inflata. leaf thickness as well nitrogen, total tannins, chemicals in significantly greater than uralensis. having smaller chewing mouthparts could not feed hard with thick sides. thicker harder texture blades may be important physical traits for effective defence against larval phytophagy, higher content its an chemical trait determining preference. larger adults, stronger mouthparts, consume nitrogen-richer obtain energy needed flight reproduction.