PREFERENSI PAKAN Epilachna sp.

The feeding preference practical of Epilachna sp. was conducted on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Animal Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Andalas University, Padang. This study aimed to examine the feeding preference of Epilachna sp. among several types of plant leaves. The tools used included petri dishes, plastic, tape, stopwatch, ruler, writing instruments, analytical balance, and scissors. Materials consisted of 15 Epilachna sp. beetles, water, filter paper, and leaves from five plant species: Solanum torvum, Solanum melongena, Solanum lycopersicum, Capsicum annuum (Solanaceae), and Luffa acutangula (Cucurbitaceae), with three leaves provided per species. Prior to the experiment, beetles were starved for 24 hours. Subsequently, they were offered five different types of leaves and observed for 45 minutes. Feeding behavior was recorded, including search time, feeding duration, and switching between food types. The results showed variability in feeding behavior based on the leaf type, with a clear preference for Solanum melongena and Solanum lycopersicum. These findings suggest that Epilachna sp. exhibits selective feeding behavior, which can inform species-specific conservation strategies and contribute to maintaining ecological balance in natural ecosystems.