Solanum neocardenasii: A New Source of Potato Resistance to the Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

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Abstract
The newly described wild potato species Solanum neocardenasii (NCD) Hawkes & Hjerting was examined for resistance to the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). Neonate larvae caged on potted NCD plants experienced higher mortality and retarded development relative to larvae feeding on S. tuberosum ‘Katahdin’ (KAT). Total oviposition rates and number of eggs per egg mass were depressed significantly among KAT-reared adults transferred to NCD. Removal of the glandular trichome exudate of NCD by gently pressing leaves between tissue papers did not significantly alter responses of larvae or adults. Relative consumption and growth rates and growth efficiencies were very low among larvae feeding on NCD, suggesting that this species possesses both toxic and feeding deterrent properties. Resistance of NCD to CPB may be associated with high foliar concentrations of the glycoalkaloid α-tomatine; glandular trichomes do not appear to contribute to the expression of resistance.