ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND BIONOMICS Respostas Fisiológicas, Morfológicas e Comportamentais de Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) Associadas ao Consumo de Diferentes Variedades de Feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris)

ABSTRACT - This study was developed aiming to verify physiological, morphological and behavioral responses of two different Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman) populations to different beans varieties ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) (Fabaceae). Female longevity, fertility and oviposition preference site, as well as size and levels of fl uctuating asymmetry for males and females were described. Zabrotes subfasciatus displayed physiological plasticity in response to the diet, which was considered an important adaptive ability to maintain the insect generalist habit for food consumption and oviposition sites. The populations studied had different responses to the same treatments, indicating genetic, physiological and behavioral variation on their plastic potential. The Hopkins` principle, which determines the in fl uence of previous female experience in the choice of oviposition sites, was not confi rmed. The occurrence of fl uctuating asymmetry in males and females was variable, probably as a consequence of genomic factors determining this trait.KEY WORDS: Phenotypic plasticity, fluctuating asymmetry, morphometry, development homeostasisRESUMO - Este estudo foi desenvolvido visando verifi car respostas fi siologicas, morfologicas e comportamentais em duas diferentes populacoes de