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Increased Success of the Mexican Bean Beetle on Field-Grown Soybeans Exposed to Sulfur Dioxide¹

ABSTRACT

Field-planted ‘Hodgson’ soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were enclosed in screened cages and fumigated intermittently with SO₂ by means of a tube fumigation system. The concentration of SO₂ averaged 367 µg m^–3 for 191 h over a 68-d period, giving a seasonal average of 42 µg m^–3. One week after fumigation began, six pairs of newly emerged Mexican bean beetle adults (Epilachna varivestis) were introduced into each of the cages. In less than one generation time, the mean number of progeny from these beetles feeding on fumigated plants was 1.5 times greater than that of the beetles feeding on control plants. Larval growth was also significantly greater on the fumigated plants, especially for females. These crop x insect interactions which occur at low intermittent doses of SO₂ increase the potential impact of the insects on crop production.

Key Words: Glycine max • Epilachna varivestis • air pollution • insects

¹ The research was funded in part by Contract no. EE-77-S-02-4368 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). It has not been subjected to USEPA review, and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views of USEPA and no official endorsement should be inferred.

² Associate Insect Physiologist, Research Assistant, and former Research Assistant, respectively, Boyce Thompson Inst. at Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY 14853.

Received for publication September 2, 1982.