Feeding of the willow leaf beetle Lochmaea capreae L. (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) on leaves of birch (Betula pendula Roth) contaminated by heavy metals

The effect of contamination of birch (Betula pendula Roth) leaves with heavy metals on the feeding of imagoes of the willow leaf beetle (Lochmaea capreae L.) was studied under laboratory conditions. The imagoes preferred feeding on leaves less contaminated by Cd, Mn and Zn. The Pb content was tolerated on all the studied levels. The repellent effect of Zn 8,000 µg/mlin the Pb + Zn regime was compensated by Pb 500 in relation to Mn 10,000