Effects of host plants on the fitness of Athetis lepigone (Möschler)
2015
Liu, Y.‐J. | Zhang, T.‐T. | Bai, S.‐X. | He, K.‐L. | Wang, Z.‐Y.
Athetis lepigone (Möschler) is a new insect pest that feeds on corn seedlings in summer corn region of China. It is an omnivorous insect, which not only infests corn, soya bean, peanut and other crops, but also feeds on fallen and decaying leaves of some crops and weeds. Effects of host plants, corn, cotton, peanut, wheat and soya bean, on larval and pupal development and survival, and the fecundity of adults of A. lepigone were studied under laboratory conditions. The developmental time from egg to adult was the shortest (30.78 days) on germinating wheat kernels and the longest (40.13 days) on corn leaves. Larval survival was the highest (80%) on germinating wheat kernels and lowest (55%) on soya bean leaves. Hatching rate was the highest (92.98%) where eggs were oviposited by the females developed from larvae that were fed on germinating wheat kernels. Similarly, fecundity was the greatest on germinating wheat kernels (337), while the lowest fecundity (145) was observed on cotton leaves. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (0.22) and net reproduction rate (181.39) were found on germinating wheat kernels. Germinating wheat kernels were recognized as the most suitable host plant for A. lepigone because of the shortest developmental period, highest survival and highest fecundity. The results correspond with the field habits of A. lepigone and clearly show differences in development and adaptability on the five tested host plants. The findings will serve as baseline information to better understand the biology of the pest, which can be utilized in an effective management programme.
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