Altered feeding preference of mexican bean beetle Epilachna varivestis for ozonated soybean foliage

In response to environmental stress, metabolic and physiological characteristics of plants are altered. Herbivorous insects are sensitive to host foliage quality. Thus, plant susceptibility to insect feeding may be influenced by plant exposure to air pollutants. This possibility was examined by testing the feeding of the Mexican bean beetle (MBB) Epilachna varivestis on soybean foliage exposed to ozone (O₃). In paired feeding tests, MBB adults preferentially fed on O₃-exposed foliage rather than control foliage. When paired tests were conducted with foliage from plants receiving varying levels of O₃ exposure, the MBB frequently preferred the foliage that had received the greater O₃ stress. These responses were observed up to 23 days after the last O₃ exposure.