Effect of Host Plants on Development and Survival of Brontispa longissima (Gestro)

The development duration and survival of palm leaf beetle Brontispa longissima (Gestro) were observed in laboratory, and its life table was constructed. The results showed that life spans of palm leaf beetle feeding on Cocos nucifera, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Roystonea regia were different significantly. The survival rates of palm leaf beetle feeding on C. nucifera, R. regia, C. lutescens were at a range of 88% to 97%. The influence of different host plant on the survival rate of different stages of palm leaf beetle was not significant. The adult longevity of palm leaf beetle feeding on C. nucifera was 192 days, and longer than those feeding on the other host plants significantly.The influence of host plants on fecundity of palm leaf beetle was significantly different. The fecundity of the female on C. lutescens was 149.52, more than those on other two plants. The pre-oviposition period on three species of plants was not significant.Indices of population trend of palm leaf beetle on Cocos nucifera, Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Roystonea regia.were 85.2, 50.6 and 36.5 respectively