Biology of the sineguelas leaf beetle, Podontia quatuordecimpunctata (L.) (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), on Spondias purpurea L. (Ana cardiaceae) in the Philippines

Abstract

Spondias purpurea L. (Anacardiaceae), native to the Neotropical region, is cultivated in the Philippines for the edible fruits and the tree is economically significant. The adventive leaf beetle, Podontia quatuordecimpunctata (L.) (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini), has become a major defoliating pest of the tree in the country. The Philippines government has initiated study of the pest, now locally called the sineguelas leaf beetle (SLB). This paper reports the results of a one-year field study on the biology of SLB on S. purpurea (red sineguelas), in Batangas City, Philippines. The SLB eggs hatch in 5–7 days. The larval period is 14–16 days with 4 larval instars, the pre-pupal period is 2–3 days, and the pupal period is 15–22 days. The total life cycle from egg to adult emergence is completed within 36–48 days. Host-choice experiments revealed that different stages of SLB do not feed on carabao mango (Mangifera indica L.) or pili (Canarium ovatum Engl.), however, they fed a little but did not survive or reproduce on cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.). A predatory bug (Eocanthecona furcellata Wolff., Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a potential natural enemy. Unidentified fungi infecting the pupae and adults of SLB were also recorded.