Adult feeding by the rice water weevil Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus on different host plants

Laboratory assays to determine the leaf consumption rates of adult rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel (Coleoptera Erirhinidae), were conducted under no-choice conditions. Adults were individually reared on excised leaves of Heteranthera reniformis Ruiz et Pavon, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv., Leersia oryzoides L., Schoenoplectus mucronatus L., Bolboschoenus maritimus L., and Alisma spp. Their consumption was at first compared at 28 °C. Results showed that E. crus-galli was the most preferred host. No consumption was detected on S. mucronatus and Alisma spp. Further trials were conducted between 10-50 °C on E. crus-galli, L. oryzoides and B. maritimus. Feeding activity was recorded from 14 °C to 48 °C. Scars were not detected at 10 °C, 12 °C and 50 °C for all the weeds. All the analyzed parameters resulted influenced by weed species and temperature.