Genetics and biological fitness of a beige elytral mutant of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract

A beige elytral mutant of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), has been isolated for the first time. The inheritance of the beige mutation is controlled by two dominant genes, both of which are required for the expression of the color. The mutation could be maintained at a low rate in the wild population by the presence of one of the two genes. The lower biological fitness of the beige mutant, characterized by a longer mean total development time and lower fertility, is demonstrated. The data suggest that the melanization of markings on different areas of the body of the Colorado potato beetle are under the control of different genes. This study suggests that the previous presumption that other elytral anomalies were nongenetic in origin may be in question.