Feeding behavior of Melipotis indomita (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a herbivore of mesquite (Prosopis spp.)
1994
DeLoach, C.J.
The mesquite cutworm, Melipotis indomita (Walker), is the major defoliator of mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa Torrey, in central Texas. Larvae consumed an average 181 cm2 of foliage during their development and active last instars consumed 20-30 cm per day. Early instars fed and developed only on young mesquite leaves. The ability to feed on mature leaves increased with age, but only last instars developed normally when provided with mature leaves only. In an outdoor insectary, larvae fed mostly at night, a tendency that was much stronger during the later instars. In the field, large larvae fed in the tree at night and hid in crevices or holes in the tree or under litter on the ground during the day. The possible relationship between this feeding behavior and predator avoidance is discussed.
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