Trade-offs of host use between generalist and specialist <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa</Emphasis> sibling species: adult oviposition and larval performance

Much attention has been paid to the question of the relative importance of female behaviour versus larval feeding capacities in determining the host range of herbivorous insects. Host-use trade-offs displayed by generalist and specialist sister species of the genus Helicoverpa were evaluated to examine the relationship between maternal choice and offspring performance. The prediction of optimal oviposition theory, that females will choose to lay eggs on plants on which their offspring perform best as larvae, was tested by measuring oviposition preference and larval performance of Helicoverpa armigera and H. assulta on tobacco, sunflower, and hot pepper. These two measures were more highly correlated in the specialist H. assulta. Both species exhibited the same oviposition preference ranking: tobacco > sunflower > hot pepper. H. armigera larvae preferred sunflower, followed by tobacco and hot pepper; while H. assulta larvae preferred tobacco to sunflower and hot pepper, consistent with their mothers’ oviposition preference. Duration of the total period from egg to adult emergence for each species was significantly shorter on the host plant preferred by the larvae. H. assulta had shorter larval duration and higher relative growth rate than H. armigera on tobacco and hot pepper, and vice versa for sunflower, indicating species differences in host utilization. Thus, while only the specialist H. assulta displayed the predicted optimal oviposition pattern, females of both species show the least preference for the plant on which their offspring perform worst. Selection for optimal oviposition may be stronger on the specialist, which has fewer choices and lower lifetime fecundity than the generalist.     

Mass rearing of the pink corn borer, Sesamia cretica Led. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae, on semi artificial diets

The effect of two different semi-artificial diets (S.A.D1 and S.A.D2) as well as a natural corn diet on the biology and bionomics of the pink stem borer, Sesamia cretica was studied under laboratory conditions. The insect was successfully mass reared for ten successive generations at the conditions of 27 +/- 2 C degrees and 60-80% R.H. In addition, a photoperiod of 0:24 (L:D) for larvae and 12:12 (L:D) in concern to the other stages, respectively. ALong the ten successive generations, there were no significant differences between the larval periods for both the artificial diets. The S.A.D2 induced the shortest (24.0 days) larval period compared with the natural diet (27.5 days) and S.A.D1 (31.5 days). Rearing larvae on the natural diets revealed a pupal period of 11.0 days, while it was 10.0 days and 8.5 days for the artificial diets (S.A.D1) and in (S.A.D2), in respect. Moth longevity (pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods), to a certain extent, was affected by the larval diets. The maximal moth longevity (13.0 days) was observed for larva reared on corn plants (4, 8 and 1 days). On the other hand, the shortest period (10.5 days) of moth longevity was noticed in SAD2 (1, 9 and 0.5 days). S.A.D1 showed 11.0 days moth longevity (3,7 and 1 days). The longest oviposition period (9.0 days) was recorded in the artificial diet S.A.D2, while it was only 7.0 days in the artificial diet S.A.D1 compared with 8.0 days in case of the natural diet. The number of deposited eggs increased with the progress of the 10 successive generations (G1:G10) from 150 to 265 and from 384 eggs to 564 eggs / female for the S.A.D1 and S.A.D2, in sequence. The highest mean number of deposited eggs per female (564) was for the derived females from larvae fed on the artificial diet in G10 of S.A.D2. The rate of the deposited eggs in S.A.D2 was gradually increased (from 9.70 to 61.14% increase) more than those reared on the natural diet throughout the ten generations. The highest significant percent hatchability (92.69%) has been resulted from the artificial diet SAD2. But, it has been decreased to 85.59% in the artificial diet S.A.D1 in comparison to 65.71% in the natural diet. In addition, the significant shortest total generation period was 44.0 days resulted from the artificial diet S.A.D2, while it was 53.5 and 54.0 days for corn plants and the artificial diet S.A.D1, consequently. In short, results indicated that the S.A.D2 could be considered as a suitable artificial diet for a feasible mass rearing of the pink corn borer, Sesamia cretica led. The S.A.D2 showed the shortest larval, pupal and life span for the generation periods. Moreover, it induced the longest oviposition period and the highest mean number of deposited eggs per female and the highest significant percent of eggs hatchability/fertility. The utilization of this artificial diet (S.A.D2) would supply the researchers with high-quality insects in adequate numbers, at specified times and specific stages of development for the bioassay, toxicological and biological studies.     

Development,survival, body weight,longevity, and reproductive potential of Oemena hirta (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) under different rearing conditions

Oemona hirta (F.) is a New Zealand native longicorn beetle, whose larvae bore into the wood of branches and stems of living trees and vines, causing serious damage. To explore effective methods for maintaining laboratory colonies and biology of immature stages of this species we evaluated four laboratory rearing methods with both natural and artificial diets and compared biological parameters of laboratory colonies with those of field-collected insects. On an artificial diet, approximately 40% of neonate and 70% of autumn- and 11% of winter-collected larvae reached adulthood. Neonate larvae could not complete their development in cut poplar (Populus nigra variety italica Koehne) twigs; however, when twigs were standing in water >46% of neonate larvae survived to adulthood. Mean larval development time ranged from approximately150 to almost 300 d, depending on rearing methods. Mean pupal stage ranged from 15 to 19 d. Adult females were significantly heavier than males. Although adult females from field-collected twigs and reared on the artificial diet had similar mean body weight, which was significantly greater than that of other rearing colonies, the potential fecundity was the highest in the former (83.1 +/- 29.4 eggs) and the lowest in the latter (33.5 +/- 9.1 eggs). In all laboratory-reared and field-collected insects, the total number of eggs produced (eggs laid + eggs that remained in dead female body) by females was positively correlated with their body weight. When larvae fed on the artificial diet, there was no positive correlation between the number of eggs successfully laid and female body weight. However, when larvae lived on natural food, a positive correlation was found. In laboratory colonies, mean longevity of females (36 to 52 d) was slightly greater than that of males (30 to 50 d) without significant difference between sexes but in the adults from field-collected twigs, males (52 d) lived significantly longer than females (33 d). In terms of time, labor, and the number of resulting adults, collecting larvae in the field in autumn and then transferring them onto artificial diet is the most effective method for maintaining a laboratory colony.     

Suitability of greenbugs, cotton aphids, andHeliothis virescens eggs for development and reproduction ofOrius insidiosus

Development, fecundity, and longevity of the predator,Orius insidiosus (Say) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae), when reared on greenbug [Schizaphis graminum (Rondani)], cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover), or eggs of tobacco budworm [Heliothis virescens (F.)] with green beans or water were examined. Developmental time was shortest when predators were reared onH. virescens eggs and beans and longest when reared on cotton aphids and water. Predators were most fecund when fedH. virescens eggs. The inclusion of beans in the nymphal diet further enhanced fecundity when fed eggs. Longevity of both females and males was significantly shorter when reared on aphids than on eggs. Beans in the nymphal diet enhanced longevity of female predators only in combination with budworm eggs. FemaleO. insidiosus were largest when reared onH. virescens eggs. Addition of green beans in aphid treatments resulted in increased size ofO. insidiosus when compared to aphids and free water.     

Biological and biochemical characteristics for quality control of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) reared on a liver-based diet

Biological and biochemical parameters of a flightless strain of Harmonia axyridis, fed on a pork liver-based artificial diet and on Ephestia kuehniella eggs as controls, were compared. The diet-grown larvae showed a significantly longer developmental time and a lower adult emergence rate compared to control larvae. The weights of the newly emerged adults were significantly higher for adults fed E. kuehniella eggs during their larval stages than fed the artificial diet. In contrast, larval food source had no effect on the duration of the pre-oviposition period or adult longevity. For adults fed on E. kuehniella eggs as larvae, a significantly longer pre-oviposition period, lower daily weight gain and fecundity were found for the diet-fed females compared to those fed on E. kuehniella eggs throughout the life span. The adult food source had no significant effect on longevity and fertility. Lower amino acid and fatty acid contents (in particular C16:1 and C18:3n-3) were found for the prepupae and newly emerged females obtained from diet-reared larvae compared to controls. Deficiencies in fatty acids C16:1 and C18:3n-3 were also observed in females obtained from E. kuehniella egg-reared larvae and fed on diet from adult emergence. The analyses of the foods showed deficiencies in artificial diet, especially for some amino and fatty acids. The results suggest a non-optimal composition of the artificial diet and some possibilities for its improvement. However, this polyphagous predator could be reared from first instar larvae to fully reproductive adults on a pork liver-based artificial diet.     

Influence of diet on life table parameters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Iphiseius degenerans</Emphasis> (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Studies on the reproduction, longevity and life table parameters of Iphiseius degenerans (Berlese) were carried out under laboratory conditions of 25 ± 1 °C, 75 ± 5% RH and 16L:8D h. As food sources for the predatory mite, Ricinus communis L. pollen, all stages of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) larvae, and Ephestia kuehniella Zeller eggs were selected. All diets were accepted as food by the adult mites. Female longevity ranged from 29.5 to 42.4 days, the highest value was recorded on a diet of Ephestia eggs. The highest percentage of females escaping the experimental arena was observed on the diet consisting of thrips larvae. The highest oviposition rate (1.9 eggs/female.day) was recorded when the predator was fed on spider mites on an artificial substrate. For other diets, oviposition rates ranged from 1.0 to 1.3 eggs/female.day. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m) of I. degenerans varied between 0.015 and 0.142 females/female.day. The diet consisting of castor bean pollen resulted in the highest population growth whereas the diet on spider mites brushed off onto a bean leaf arena resulted in the slowest population growth. This can be explained by the inability of the predator to cope with the webbing of T. urticae, and the high escape rate of the progeny when reared on spider mites. The percentage of females in the offspring ranged from 40 to 73%.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Rearing ofChaetorellia australis (Dipt., Tephritidae) on an artificial diet

Larvae of the tephritid flyChaetorellia australis Hering, which infests flowerheads of the yellow starthistleCentaurea solstitialis L. (Asteraceae), and which is a candidate species for biological control, of that weed, were reared for the first time and for two consecutive generations on an artificial diet. At a density of 0.5 eggs per g diet a yield of 18.5% F₁ adults (over hatched eggs), was obtained. When the density of eggs per g diet increased, the yield decreased. At 25°C the duration of development from egg to adult was 20–25 days for both generations. F₁ adults reared on artificial diet had an average longevity of 32.0 days for males and 34.9 days for females. The fecundity was 53.3 eggs per female and the egg hatchability 88.8%. These and other biological parameters are similar to those of wild flies.      

A semi-synthetic diet for rearing Dipha aphidivora (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a promising predator of woolly aphid in sugarcane

Dipha aphidivora (Meyrick), a lepidopteran predator of sugarcane woolly aphid (SWA) Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner was successfully reared for three successive generations, for the first time on a freeze-dried beef liver-based larval semi-synthetic diet. We compared biological parameters viz., larval survival, adult weight, pre-and oviposition period, fertility, fecundity and female longevity of D. aphidivora reared on the semi-synthetic diet with the predators reared on SWA. Development time of larvae reared from first instar to pupation was 20.6 days on the semi-synthetic diet and 12 days on SWA, while survival of the larvae to adults was 61.8 and 91.8% on larval semi-synthetic diet and SWA, respectively. Fecundity recorded from semi-synthetic diet (41 eggs/female) was significantly less than those produced on SWA (58 eggs/female). However, fertility and longevity of the predators reared on SWA and semi-synthetic diet did not differ significantly. The study revealed the possibility of rearing D. aphidivora larvae using synthetic diet.     

Dietary complementation across life stages in the polyphagous lady beetle Coleomegilla maculata

We investigated the life history consequences of changes in diet between larval and adult life stages in the polyphagous lady beetle Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Beetles were reared on three larval diets: greenbug, Schizaphis graminum Rondani (Homoptera: Aphididae), eggs of the flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and bee pollen. The reproductive performance of females was then evaluated on an adult diet of either greenbug or moth eggs. Moth eggs appeared to be the most suitable diet for larvae, yielding the largest adults, and pollen the least suitable, resulting in the smallest adults and greatly extended developmental time. Pollen‐reared beetles tended to have lower fecundity and fertility than those reared on animal protein, regardless of adult diet. Female fitness was generally increased by a change in diet upon emergence to the alternative source of animal protein, suggesting that dietary complementation occurred across life stages. Among females reared on greenbug, a change of diet to moth eggs reduced the period required for production of 12 clutches and increased egg fertility compared to continued feeding on greenbug. Among females reared on moth eggs, a change of diet to greenbug increased fecundity compared to continued feeding on moth eggs. Among females fed an adult diet of greenbug, those fed moth eggs as larvae had faster production of 12 clutches and higher fecundity. We discuss these novel results in the context of coccinellid life history and ecology and their potential implications for other insects that are predatory as both larvae and adults.     

Ovipositional Synergists and Artificial Diets for Trichogramma australicum Girault (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

We studied ovipositional synergists and artificial diets for rearing Trichogramma australicum. Artificial "diet A" included 40% haemolymph of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) final instar larvae, 30% of a 10% malt solution in deionised water, 20% chicken egg yolk and 10% Neisenheimer's salt solution with 76 units Penicillin and 76 units Streptomycin/ml diet. Artificial "diet B" was identical except Grace's insect medium® replaced Neisenheimer's salt solution. the number of T. australicum larvae in artificial eggs filled with diet A and diet B was not significantly different (P > 0.05). Significantly fewer (P < 0.05) larvae developed to pupae and adults in artificial eggs filled with diet A. Quantity and quality of artificial diet affected the mortality of T. australicum larvae reared in vitro. Ovipositional synergists included 10% gelatine solution, 10% polyvinyl alcohol solution or 1% agar solution in deionised water. Synergist test-solutions were individually smeared on the external surface of artificial eggs (hemispherical depressions in plastic membrane). Eggs laid and number of T. australicum larvae produced were significantly higher in artificial eggs smeared with gelatine than artificial eggs smeared with polyvinyl alcohol, agar or non-smeared (control) eggs.     

人工饲料与天然饲料饲养条件下烟青虫的生长发育和繁殖力比较

报道饲养烟青虫HelicoverpaassultaGue澖ee的一种人工饲料,比较了烟青虫取食该饲料和天然饲料的主要生物学指标,测定了6龄幼虫对2种食料的转化和利用率。该人工饲料的主要成分是麦胚、黄豆粉、酵母粉和烟叶粉,天然饲料为烟草叶片。结果表明:取食人工饲料的烟青虫幼虫生长发育快,化的蛹较大,成虫寿命长,产卵量大,所产卵孵化率高;取食人工饲料的烟青虫与取食烟草蒴果的相比,前者相对取食量和近似消化率较高,相对生长率无显著性差异。说明烟青虫对该人工饲料有较好的适应性,可以作为繁殖烟青虫的实用饲料。     

Artificial diets for rearing the coconut hispine beetle Brontispa longissima and its parasitoid Asecodes hispinarum

We tested artificial diets for rearing the coconut hispine beetle, Brontispa longissima, a serious invasive pest of coconut (Cocos nucifera) in Southeast Asia. We examined three artificial diets that were identical except for their agar content. The survival rate from hatching to adult emergence was 26.0% when beetles were reared on a ‘soft diet’ (20 g/l agar), 16.0% on a ‘hard diet’ (40 g/l agar), and 41.0% on a ‘mixed diet’, in which the hard diet was used for the first instar and the soft diet for later instars. Females raised as larvae on the mixed diet and then as adults on the soft diet laid few eggs, which did not hatch. However, females reared on the mixed diet as larvae and then on fresh leaves as adults consistently laid eggs that hatched. We then examined the suitability of B. longissima larvae reared on the mixed diet as hosts for the larval parasitoid Asecodes hispinarum, a specialist parasitoid of this beetle. Of the oviposited hosts, 75.0% became mummified and 41.7% produced adult wasps. These results indicate that the mixed diet may be useful for rearing B. longissima larvae as hosts for the rearing of A. hispinarum.     

黄地老虎的人工饲料

本文报道黄地老虎Agrotis segetum Schiff.幼虫的一种人工饲料,它的主要成分是灰菜粉和麦胚粉.已用这种饲料连续饲养黄地老虎16个世代,幼虫期存活率在88—96%之间,平均93.3%,蛹期死亡率不到5%,成虫平均产卵量在千粒左右,孵化率约90%.这些指标均优于用鲜灰菜饲养的第一代黄地老虎.除黄地老虎幼虫外,这种饲料还可以用来饲养棉铃虫和甘兰夜蛾幼虫.     

Experience-based behavioral and chemosensory changes in the generalist insect herbivore Helicoverpa armigera exposed to two deterrent plant chemicals

Behavioral and electrophysiological responses of larvae of the polyphagous moth species Helicoverpa armigera to two plant-derived allelochemicals were studied, both in larvae that had been reared on a diet devoid of these compounds and in larvae previously exposed to these compounds. In dual-choice cotton leaf disk and pepper fruit disk arena assays, caterpillars reared on a normal artificial diet were strongly deterred by strychnine and strophanthin-K. However, caterpillars reared on an artificial diet containing strychnine were insensitive to strychnine and strophanthin-K. Similarly, caterpillars reared on an artificial diet containing strophanthin-K were also desensitized to both deterrent chemicals. Electrophysiological tests revealed that the deterrent-sensitive neurons in taste sensilla on the maxillae of caterpillars reared on each deterrent-containing diet displayed reduced sensitivity to the two chemicals compared with the caterpillars reared on normal diets. We conclude that the experience-dependent behavioral plasticity was partly based on the reduced sensitivity of taste receptor neurons and that the desensitization of taste receptor neurons contributed to the cross-habituation to the two chemicals.     

Dietary glycerol and adult access to water: effects on fecundity and longevity in the almond moth

The quality of food eaten by larval insects will affect traits such as gamete production, fat reserves, muscle bulk and body size in the adult. Moreover, larvae also depend on high moisture content in the diet for survival. The almond moth (Ephestia cautella) (W.) (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) does not feed as an adult although it continues to drink water. We tested the idea that an almond moth could compensate for a low-water diet as a larva by increasing its water intake as an adult. We reared larvae on two different food sources with different moisture regimes; standard laboratory diet with glycerol (relatively wet) and standard diet without glycerol (relatively dry). Half the adult moths from each treatment were given water to drink before their first and only mating. Our results show that wet larval diets (i.e. containing glycerol) significantly decreased fecundity (total number of eggs laid and the proportion of hatched larvae), whilst it significantly increased male and female longevity. The interaction effect of water access for adult males and females was significant, independent of the glycerol in the larval diet. Longevity in females that were not presented with water as adults was slightly higher if mated with a male that had had access to water, suggesting a mating donation of water. However, females that received water as adults showed a decreased longevity if mated with a male who had also had access to water as an adult, indicating a negative effect of water if received by both males and females. In addition, when the larval diet included glycerol, increased number of eggs laid decreased female longevity, whilst an absence of glycerol in the larval diet resulted in low female longevity that was unlinked with fecundity. Glycerol is used in many artificial insect diets and the fact that it shows a strong effect on key life-history traits (reproductive output and longevity in this species), merits careful re-examination of its effects on these important traits in other laboratory models. We also discuss the possibility that larval diet can affect female reproductive decisions.     

Development and reproductive capacity of the predatory mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parasitus consanguineus</Emphasis> (Acari: Parasitidae) reared on the larval stages of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Megaselia halterata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycoriella ingenua</Emphasis>

Development and reproduction of the predatory mite Parasitus consanguineus Oudemans et Voigts (Acari: Parasitidae) reared on a diet of first and second instars of Megaselia halterata (Diptera: Phoridae) or Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae) were studied. Mites were allowed to feed on these diets until death. The developmental time of immature stages of P. consanguineus was significantly longer when reared on L. ingenua than on M. halterata larvae (8.3 vs. 7.9 days, respectively). Survival to adulthood of P. consanguineus reared on L. ingenua or M. halterata larvae was 63 and 49%, and mite fecundity was 17.8 and 12.3 eggs/female, respectively. Adult females reared on L. ingenua lived on average 6.9 days, whereas those reared on M. halterata lived for 5.7 days. Mite survival, female longevity and fecundity were significantly different among the two diet types.     

The effect of plant chemistry on the acceptability of caterpillar prey to the argentine antIridomyrmex humilils (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Experiments were performed to test the acceptability of two palatable, cryptic caterpillars, the tobacco hornworm,Manduca sexta, and the cabbage looper,Trichoplusia ni, reared on different diets, to the Argentine ant,Iridomyrmex humilis. Ants preferred larvae reared on artificial diet, groundcherry, or cowpea to tobacco-reared larvae. Ants also preferred larvae reared on artificial diet without nicotine to larvae reared on diet containing nicotine (5% dry wt). Experiments were also performed to test the response of ants to larval extracts and chemicals applied to the surface of palatable prey. Ants did not respond differently to larvae of the potato tuber moth,Phthorimaea operculella, treated with larval extracts or regurgitate from tobacco-reared larvae compared to artificialdiet-reared larvae, but ants were deterred byP. operculella larvae treated with nicotine compared to untreated larvae. The results of this study indicate that caterpillars can derive at least some degree of chemical protection from their food plant without sequestering and storing plant compounds and without the development of elaborate aposematic characteristics.     

Fecundity,autogeny, and the larval environment of the pitcher-plant mosquito,Wyeomyia smithii

Summary Pupae and fourth instar larvae of a southern (30°N, Alabama, USA) population of Wyeomyia smithii Coq. (Diptera: Culicidae) were collected from pitcher plants. Adults which emerged were maintained without food then dissected to determine their egg clutch size. Among females which matured eggs, fecundities were negatively correlated with larval densities in individual pitchers. The mean autogenous fecundity of the overwintering generation did not differ from a summer sample. Adults unable to mature eggs comprised 6–39% of samples, depending on whether collected as pupae or fourth instar larvae. Fecundity was negatively correlated with time to adult eclosion among larvae maintained on unrenewed pitcher contents in the laboratory.Cohorts from this population were reared in artificial containers from egg hatch to adulthood at a single density and a superior or inferior diet. On the superior larval diet, all females survived to reproductive age, and all but one (>99%) produced eggs autogenously. On the inferior diet, survivorship to adult eclosion was significantly less, a high proportion of females died before reaching reproductive age, and only 19% of survivors matured eggs without blood. Protracted larval development induced by the inferior diet did not influence the probability of autogeny among females that survived to reproductive maturity.The relationship between larval environment and reproductive strategies is contrasted across the geographic range of W. smithii. Bloodfeeding occurs among southern populations where density dependent constraints on preimaginal growth are constantly severe. The loss of hematophagy among northern populations may have been facilitated by periods of density independent larval growth.Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Experimental Station Journal Series No. 3645     

Comparison of artificial diets for rearing Bracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

The ectoparasitoid Bracon hebetor Say is an insect frequently found in storage facilities, where it attacks stored grain pests. The biology of this parasitoid was studied when reared on seven different artificial diets (in vitro rearing), under controlled temperature (25 ± 2 °C), relative humidity (60 ± 10%), and photoperiod (14-h photophase), and compared to its biology on its natural host Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (in vivo rearing). The artificial diet contained 60% holotissue of Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) pupae, 12% fetal bovine serum, 12% lactoalbumin hydrolysate, and 16% egg yolk, enabled development similar to that obtained on the natural host. The life cycle duration (egg–adult) was not significantly different, and the adults reared on this diet promptly paralyzed and parasitized the natural host, though at a lower proportion than those reared in vivo. There was no difference in the longevity of females obtained with these two different rearing systems (in vivo and in vitro). However, about 60% of the larvae developed on the diet failed to produce a protective cocoon during the pupal phase, indicating a sub-optimal quality associated with this artificial medium.     

食物对棉铃虫生长发育及繁殖的影响

用棉花、花生、玉米及人工饲料作为食料,模拟幼虫田间取食习性,同时为雌蛾设立补充和无补充营养两个处理,研究了食物对棉铃虫 Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) 生长发育及繁殖的影响。4种食料组幼虫历期之间有显著差异;雌、雄蛹重花生组显著小于其余三组。雌蛾腹部干重及其脂肪百分含量与雌蛹体重的排列顺序一样,雌蛾腹部干重人工饲料组显著大于棉花组和花生组。雌蛾寿命和繁殖受幼虫食料和成虫食物的双重影响。喂10%蜂蜜时,雌蛾寿命、交配率和产卵量在四个幼虫食料组之间没有显著差异。但喂以清水时,花生组雌蛾均未交配,寿命和产卵量显著小于其余三组。从同种幼虫食料来看,除人工饲料组外,其余3组雌蛾喂清水时的产卵量和寿命均比喂10%蜂蜜溶液时的显著下降。基于这些结果,作者认为棉花、玉米比花生更适合于棉铃虫的生长发育和繁殖。在田间自然栽培状态下,不同食料植物的糖分含量对棉铃虫生长发育和繁殖影响较大,含氮量的变化影响小。