Influence of plant age, water stress, larval damage, and presence of conspecific eggs on oviposition by Heliothis virescens (F.) on cotton
1993
Naveasero, R.C. (Mississippi State Univ. (USA). Dept. of Entomology) | Ramaswany, S.B.
The influence of plant age, water stress, and damage on the ovipositional response of Heliothis virescens (F.) to cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., was tested in field cages. Further, the impact of presence of conspecific eggs on oviposition by H. virescens was tested in laboratory cages. Females laid more eggs on smaller, younger, and more pubescent leaves than older, larger leaves. The presence of conspecific eggs on these leaves appeared to elicit further oviposition as indicated by significant correlation between increase in egg density and the initial egg density. There was a significant negative correlation (r = 0.92) between oviposition and leaf moisture but a strong positive correlation (r = 0.98) between oviposition and pubescence among leaf classes. Nitrogen content did not vary significantly among leaf classes and did not show any correlation with egg density. Adult females were able to discriminate between damaged and undamaged plants, the latter receiving significantly higher numbers of eggs. Eight week-old potted cotton plants appeared to be more acceptable to moths than younger and older plants. Oviposition on cotton plants subjected to suspension of water for up to 7 days did not vary significantly. Based on data presented, it appears that other factors, e.g., hairiness, may override leaf moisture content in affecting oviposition by H. virescens
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