@article{lu_kennedy_gould_1996, title={Differential predation by <i>Coleomegilla maculata</i> on Colorado potato beetle strains that vary in growth on tomato}, volume={81}, ISSN={0013-8703 1570-7458}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1570-7458.1996.tb02008.x}, DOI={10.1111/j.1570-7458.1996.tb02008.x}, abstractNote={AbstractThis study tests the hypothesis that the generalist predator Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer causes differential mortality of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), larvae differing in their degree of genetic adaptation to tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) as a host plant. Results of a series of laboratory experiments demonstrate that adult C. maculata can cause higher mortality to nonadapted than adapted Colorado potato beetle larvae. The extent of differential mortality caused by C. maculata depended on age of potato beetle larvae; presence of potato beetle eggs; whether or not the predator had a choice among prey items; and, in choice situations, the ratio of adapted to nonadapted potato beetle larvae. Although adult C. maculata have the potential to prey differentially on tomato‐adapted and nonadapted Colorado potato beetle larvae in mixed populations, the magnitude of differential predation in a natural setting could be highly variable.}, number={1}, journal={Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Lu, Wenhua and Kennedy, George G. and Gould, Fred}, year={1996}, month={Oct}, pages={7–14} }