Host plants, biology and chemical ecology of the introduced lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii (Scopoli) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii (Scopoli) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a recently introduced pest of lilies (Lilium spp.) (Liliales:Liliaceae). I analyzed preference and fitness measures to determine if the beetle has the potential to use wild, native Liliales (and closely related Asparagales) as hosts. It was found that adult beetles will oviposit occasionally on some native species in a no-choice situation, although they oviposit preferentially on Lilium species. First instar larvae feed on all Liliales and Asparagales, but not on species from dicot outgroups. Neonate host plant preference is significantly related to host plant phylogeny and relatedness to the genus Liliales, indicating that phylogeny may be a predictor of host shifting. Larvae can complete their development on Streptopus amplexifolius (Liliales), and probably on Medeola virginiana. This study indicates that the host range of the lily beetle is larger than previously thought and that it includes several wild, native, non-Lilium species.