室内条件下以枣树为寄主的苹褐带卷蛾的生长发育、繁殖及对产卵基质的选择性

【目的】苹褐带卷蛾Adoxophyes orana在陕北红枣种植区对枣树Ziziphus jujube的危害有逐年加重的趋势。本研究旨在明确以枣树为寄主的苹褐带卷蛾发育历期、繁殖能力及雌虫对产卵基质的选择性,为准确预测、高效治理该虫提供理论依据。【方法】在室温25±1℃、相对湿度70%±5%、光周期15L∶9D的条件下,以枣树叶片为食料,观察苹褐带卷蛾实验种群的生长发育及繁殖能力;通过测定补充不同营养物质后雌蛾的单雌产卵量,评价外源营养对苹褐带卷蛾繁殖力的影响;通过观察苹褐带卷蛾雌蛾在硫酸纸、滤纸、白纸、PE保鲜膜及装订胶片5种基质上的总落卵量,确定其对无机产卵基质的选择性。【结果】苹褐带卷蛾卵、幼虫、蛹和成虫的平均发育历期分别为7.38±1.22, 16.59±2.16, 7.01±0.79和16.65±5.15 d,平均世代历期为33.87±3.64 d。苹褐带卷蛾在枣树上的内禀增长率(rm)、周限增长率(λ)和种群加倍时间(Dt)分别为0.15 d^-1,1.16 d^-1和4.67 d,平均产卵量达339.52±129.93粒/雌。雌虫可多次产卵,表现出明显的昼夜节律(多在0:00-8:00时段内);平均产卵次数6.26±2.09次,雌虫羽化后第3-5天达到产卵盛期。雌蛾在PE保鲜膜上的总落卵量显著大于在其他产卵基质上的总落卵量。补给不同浓度白糖水的雌蛾,其产卵量与补给纯净水的雌蛾的产卵量差异不显著。【结论】苹褐带卷蛾能够以枣树叶片为食物完成发育并繁殖可育后代,PE保鲜膜是其雌蛾适宜的无机产卵基质。     

三叶虫萤的交配与产卵行为

【目的】研究三叶虫萤Emeia pseudosauteri成虫的交配与产卵行为,丰富三叶虫萤的生物学研究,推动三叶虫萤的人工繁育。【方法】采用室内试验与野外观察相结合、仪器拍摄和人工观察相结合的方法研究三叶虫萤的交配与产卵行为。【结果】本文先描述了三叶虫萤成虫交配前雄雄相遇、雌雌相遇、雌雄相遇分别会发生的情况,然后较为详细地描述了交配的过程。交配姿势有上下体位(或称"∠"型)和尾对尾体位(或称"—"型),后者由前者转换而来。雌雄成虫可以多次交配,雄虫有交配干扰和假交配现象。成虫24 h内均有交配现象,交配高峰出现在20:00-22:00(交配率20.8%)和12:00-14:00(交配率15.1%)。雌虫多数喜将卵产在潮湿的苔藓上,卵常聚集成一丛或成簇排列。雌虫可多次产卵,但初次产卵数量最多(高达67.82%),随后产卵量则随产卵次数增加而减少。雌雄虫多次交配后单只雌虫的第一次产卵量[(45±5)粒]多于单次交配后单只雌虫第一次产卵量[(20±4)粒]。雌虫的产卵次数和产卵量与其体重相关,体重越重则其产卵次数和产卵量越多。【结论】三叶虫萤的交配产卵行为与以往报道的萤火虫交配产卵行为很多相似之处,但也有一些特殊行为或规律。     

桃红颈天牛成虫的交配行为及对不同寄主植物的栖落和产卵选择性

【目的】桃红颈天牛Aromia bungii是一种钻蛀性害虫,主要以蔷薇科果树和观赏树木为寄主。本研究旨在搞清楚桃红颈天牛成虫的交配产卵行为及其对不同寄主植物的栖落和产卵选择性。【方法】选择苹果Malus pumila、山樱花Prunus serrulata var. spontanea、桃Prunus persica、西府海棠Malus micromalus、毛樱桃Prunus tomentosa、秋子梨Pyrus ussuriensis、杏Prunus armeniaca和红叶李Prunus cerasifera var. atropurea 8种寄主植物木段,构建为成虫的活动场所,观察桃红颈天牛成虫的交配和产卵行为,并测定桃红颈天牛成虫在不同寄主木段上的栖落数量和产卵量。【结果】桃红颈天牛成虫的交配行为分为避让、打斗和交配3种行为。交配过程可分为相遇抱对、插入输精、交配后陪护3个阶段。桃红颈天牛雌虫产卵时无刻槽行为,喜欢将卵产于较为狭窄的缝隙中。雌虫偏好在桃树木段上栖落,雄虫则偏好在毛樱桃木段上栖落。李亚科李属的桃是桃红颈天牛最喜欢的产卵寄主木段,而雌虫在苹果亚科的苹果、海棠和秋子梨木段上产卵极少。相关性分析结果表明雌虫在寄主木段上的栖落数量与产卵量占比间存在正相关性,雄虫在寄主木段上的栖落数量与雌虫在寄主木段上的栖落数量之间也存在正相关性。【结论】桃红颈天牛雌成虫最喜欢桃树木段,雄虫对寄主植物的选择性与雌虫并不完全相同。     

柳毒蛾繁殖生物学的初步观察

【目的】为了明确柳毒蛾Leucoma salicis(Linnaeus)交配的日节律高峰,温度和不同交配持续时间处理对成虫寿命、产卵量和孵化率等繁殖生物学的影响。【方法】将新羽化的柳毒蛾成虫置于养虫笼中,观察交配的日节律高峰,并统计不同温度和不同交配持续时间处理下的成虫寿命、产卵量和孵化率。【结果】成虫在羽化当晚的后半夜凌晨开始交尾,次日晚上开始产卵。成虫交配集中在羽化翌日凌晨3:00—5:00之间,高峰为4:00。产卵高峰都出现在2日龄成虫,但是,25℃下成虫交配持续时间(9.2 h)显著短于28℃(11.8 h)。交配持续时间为30、60和300 min的处理,雌成虫平均寿命显著长于对照(对照9.2 h),雄虫仅60 min的处理显著长于对照。同时,极短的交配持续时间(30 min)显著降低雌虫的产卵量和孵化率。【结论】试验明确了成虫交配的日节律高峰,在适宜的温度范围内(25~28℃),雌雄成虫的寿命、单雌总产卵量无显著差异,交配持续时间明显影响成虫寿命、产卵量和卵孵化率。     

光周期变化对毛健夜蛾交配和产卵的影响

【目的】毛健夜蛾Brithys crini(Fabricius)可为害葱莲Zephyranthes candida等石蒜科绿化植物,前期研究表明不同光周期对其交配和产卵节律行为及交配率和产卵量均有显著影响。本实验期望探明间歇光照等复杂光照条件对毛健夜蛾交配和产卵的影响。【方法】在光照培养箱条件下(光源为白色日光灯,光照强度约为500 lx),观察了间歇光照长度(20,10,5,1和0 min)、暗期位点(D10:00-22:00,D12:00-24:00,D14:00-02:00和D16:00-04:00)和非24 h光暗循环(4L∶4D,8L∶8D,24L∶24D和48L∶48D)3种光照条件下毛键夜蛾成虫交配及产卵行为。【结果】间歇光照长度为20,10,5,1和0 min时,成虫交配数分别为0,3,10,14和11对,配对数分别为25,29,31,39和26对;间歇光照长度为20和10 min时,交配数与对照组差异显著;10,5,1和0 min时已交配单雌产卵量差异不显著(分别为354.67,322.30,339.57和310.45粒)。暗期位点为D10:00-22:00,D12:00-24:00,D14:00-02:00和D16:00-04:00时,成虫交配数分别为13,18,15和12对,配对数分别为16,19,17和16对,交配数差异不显著;已交配单雌产卵量差异不显著(分别为516.15,527.28,495.53和458.50粒);交配起始时间、交配高峰时间和产卵起始时间、产卵高峰因暗期位点不同而异。非24 h光暗循环(4L∶4D,8L∶8D,24L∶24D和48L∶48D)条件下成虫交配数分别为16,15,14和14对,配对数分别为18,16,14和16对,交配数差异不显著;已交配单雌产卵量差异显著(分别为590.56,559.67,497.21和419.29粒)。【结论】这些结果显示毛健夜蛾交配和产卵行为主要发生在暗期,暗期短于40 min时不能发生交配行为,暗期位点和长度对交配和产卵行为有影响。     

二疣犀甲对不同寄主茎干的产卵选择

在室内采用选择行为方法,研究了二疣犀甲Oryctes rhinoceros(Linnaeus)对不同寄主茎干的产卵选择行为。结果表明,二疣犀甲对不同腐烂状态椰子茎干的产卵选择性具有明显差异,其中以半腐烂状态的茎干对二疣犀甲的产卵引诱效果最强,单雌产卵数和孵化率分别为27.06粒和87.41%,其次为完全腐烂的茎干,而健康茎干的引诱效果最差。5种不同棕榈植物的半腐烂茎干对二疣犀甲的产卵诱集结果表明,二疣犀甲在椰子和油棕茎干上的产卵量最高且差异不显著。而在不同椰子品种半腐烂茎干之间,二疣犀甲优先选择香水椰子和海南高种椰子茎干腐烂物产卵,单雌产卵量分别为28.14粒和24.25粒。在不同原因造成的死亡椰子茎干中,二疣犀甲优先选择台风折断死亡的茎干产卵,其次为染虫死亡茎干,最后为感病死亡茎干。少量的二疣犀甲幼虫粪便能诱集成虫在寄主上产卵,在粪便比例为25%时,对二疣犀甲成虫产卵诱集效果最强,单雌产卵量最高,达到34.67粒,之后随着粪便在产卵基质中比例的增加,二疣犀甲的产卵行为逐渐受到抑制,产卵量减少。     

广聚萤叶甲成虫产卵行为及其产卵部位的选择性

【目的】明确广聚萤叶甲成虫产卵行为及其产卵部位的选择性。【方法】在室内条件下,对广聚萤叶甲成虫交配及产卵的系列行为、产卵场所选择、不同部位豚草植株叶片叶绿素b的含量进行了观察和测定:(1)将1对成虫放到养虫笼内的一株豚草上,观察交配时间,记录产卵数量、前后2粒卵之间的产卵时间间隔;(2)在均匀分为5部分(0～10、11～20、21～30、31～40和41～50 cm)的豚草植株上,随机放置10对成虫,观察雌虫对于产卵场所的选择。(3)将上述5个部位的豚草叶片通过丙酮匀浆法处理,用紫外分光光度计测定其在645和663 nm的吸光值,计算叶绿素b含量。【结果】广聚萤叶甲成虫完成一次成功交配平均需96.09 min。雌虫一般需45 min的时间来寻找其适应的产卵场所,在产卵过程中,成虫习惯将卵产于叶片背面,雌虫喜欢用口器来清理刚产下的卵粒。在一株50 cm高的豚草植株上,雌虫喜欢将卵产在植株中部21～30 cm和中上部31～40cm的叶片上(从下往上划分)。卵块数量和豚草不同部位叶片叶绿素b含量呈显著的正相关性。【结论】广聚萤叶甲成虫喜欢产卵在叶绿素b含量较高的叶片背面,可能以视觉识别叶片颜色来选择和定位产卵场所。     

桃红颈天牛成虫的交配行为及对不同寄主植物的栖落和产卵选择性

【目的】桃红颈天牛Aromia bungii是一种钻蛀性害虫,主要以蔷薇科果树和观赏树木为寄主。本研究旨在搞清楚桃红颈天牛成虫的交配产卵行为及其对不同寄主植物的栖落和产卵选择性。【方法】选择苹果Malus pumila、山樱花Prunus serrulata var.spontanea、桃Prunus persica、西府海棠Malus micromalus、毛樱桃Prunus tomentosa、秋子梨Pyrus ussuriensis、杏Prunus armeniaca和红叶李Prunus cerasifera var.atropurea 8种寄主植物木段,构建为成虫的活动场所,观察桃红颈天牛成虫的交配和产卵行为,并测定桃红颈天牛成虫在不同寄主木段上的栖落数量和产卵量。【结果】桃红颈天牛成虫的交配行为分为避让、打斗和交配3种行为。交配过程可分为相遇抱对、插入输精、交配后陪护3个阶段。桃红颈天牛雌虫产卵时无刻槽行为,喜欢将卵产于较为狭窄的缝隙中。雌虫偏好在桃树木段上栖落,雄虫则偏好在毛樱桃木段上栖落。李亚科李属的桃是桃红颈天牛最喜欢的产卵寄主木段,而雌虫在苹果亚科的苹果、海棠和秋子梨木段上产卵极少。相关性分析结果表明雌虫在寄主木段上的栖落数量与产卵量占比间存在正相关性,雄虫在寄主木段上的栖落数量与雌虫在寄主木段上的栖落数量之间也存在正相关性。【结论】桃红颈天牛雌成虫最喜欢桃树木段,雄虫对寄主植物的选择性与雌虫并不完全相同。     

亚洲柑橘木虱雌成虫对砂糖橘幼嫩部位的产卵选择性研究

【目的】明确亚洲柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri Kuwayama雌成虫的产卵过程及其对柑橘嫩芽产卵的偏好性。【方法】利用手机和微距镜头观察记录柑橘木虱雌成虫的产卵过程,并结合田间调查与室内试验明确了亚洲柑橘木虱雌成虫对砂糖橘嫩叶和不同发育状态嫩芽的偏好性。【结果】亚洲柑橘木虱雌成虫产卵前,头部前倾,尾部上翘,触角不断抖动,一段时间后,雌成虫爬行到合适的位点开始产卵,或爬至其他部位,继续上述行为,直至找到合适的位置产卵。产卵时,触角静止不动,腹部收缩带动产卵器向腹部弯曲,肛上板与下生殖板张开,产卵器插入产卵位点产卵。产卵结束后,雌成虫迅速抽出产卵器,肛上板与下生殖板在抽离过程中缓慢闭合。田间调查发现,亚洲柑橘木虱雌成虫偏向于未展开和半展开的柑橘嫩芽上产卵。室内试验发现,当同时供给新叶和多种发育状态的砂糖橘嫩芽时,亚洲柑橘木虱产卵偏好于未展开和半展开的砂糖橘嫩芽,且不会选择在砂糖橘新叶上产卵。当仅供给一种发育状态的砂糖橘嫩芽或新叶时,亚洲柑橘木虱雌成虫在新叶和嫩芽上都能产卵,但在新叶上的产卵量明显比嫩芽上的产卵量小。【结论】明确了亚洲柑橘木虱雌成虫的产卵过程。亚洲柑橘木虱雌成虫产卵具有明显趋嫩性,对于砂糖橘,雌成虫偏向于0-10 mm的嫩芽上产卵。     

颜色对苹果蠹蛾产卵选择性的影响

苹果蠹蛾Cydia pomonella Linne是为害苹果Malus pumilaMill、梨Pyrus spp.、桃Amygdalus persica L.等仁果类和核果类果树的重要蛀果害虫之一。为明确寄主颜色在苹果蠹蛾产卵中的作用,本文研究了不同颜色对苹果蠹蛾雌成虫产卵选择性的影响。试验采用彩色硫酸纸模拟寄主颜色,以白色为参比色,室内在不同基质颜色条件下连续饲养苹果蠹蛾成虫,测定其产卵量和计算产卵选择率。结果显示,苹果蠧蛾羽化后第2天开始产卵,基质颜色对苹果蠹蛾雌成虫产卵选择率和产卵量有显著地影响,在粉红色上的产卵选择率和产卵量显著高于其它颜色,分别为38.24%和35.0粒,草莓红（6.17%,5.1粒）和橙黄色（8.18%,3.5粒）则表现一定的趋避作用。基质颜色对不同日龄苹果蠹蛾雌成虫产卵选择性亦有显著影响,7日龄显著偏嗜浅绿色（68.31%）,其它日龄明显偏嗜粉红色,且在粉红色上日产卵量均高于其它颜色。本研究结果表明寄主颜色在苹果蠹蛾产卵选择中具有重要作用,偏好在粉红色上产卵。     

寄主植物对桃蛀螟生长发育及产卵选择行为的影响

为明确寄主植物对桃蛀螟生长发育及产卵选择行为的影响,利用实验种群生命表和二项产卵选择试验,研究了玉米、大豆、棉花和桃等4种寄主植物对桃蛀螟种群生长发育及产卵选择性的影响。结果表明:取食棉花的桃蛀螟幼虫存活率最低、幼虫历期最长,取食玉米的幼虫存活率最高、幼虫历期最短,取食桃和大豆的幼虫存活率和历期居于棉花处理组和玉米处理组之间;玉米处理组的桃蛀螟化蛹率、蛹重和蛹历期均为最高,棉花处理组为最低,大豆和桃处理组的这些参数均显著小于玉米处理组而大于棉花处理组;发育至成虫后,取食玉米的桃蛀螟羽化率显著高于其他3个处理组;取食桃的桃蛀螟成虫寿命(雌虫和雄虫)及个体发育历期均显著高于其他3种处理组;同时取食桃的桃蛀螟单雌产卵量最高,其次是玉米处理组,两者均显著高于大豆和棉花处理组。二项产卵选择试验结果显示,桃蛀螟雌蛾在棉花和玉米处理组、玉米和大豆处理组或棉花和大豆处理组间的落卵量差异不显著;但在包含桃的处理组中,桃蛀螟在棉花、玉米或大豆处理区的落卵量均显著高于桃处理区。上述结果表明,供试4种寄主植物中,桃蛀螟偏好在棉花、玉米和大豆上产卵,其中玉米对桃蛀螟的适合度相对较高,棉花对桃蛀螟的适合度相对较低。     

海南发现椰子织蛾的重要天敌褐带卷蛾茧蜂

椰子织蛾是棕榈植物的重要入侵害虫,在印度和斯里兰卡严重危害椰子树。2013年在海南省万宁市首次发现椰子织蛾。目前,该虫已在海南多个市县及广东和广西危害,对我国棕榈科植物的安全生产构成严重威胁。2014年11月,作者等人在万宁兴隆和三亚海棠湾镇调查椰子织蛾危害时,发现其重要天敌昆虫——褐带卷蛾茧蜂。为了进一步了解褐带卷蛾茧蜂,本文对其形态特征、分布、寄主和生物学习性进行了报道,以便更好地用于椰子织蛾的生物防治。     

Host plant conspicuousness and the distribution of eggs and larvae in the butterfly,Anthocharis scolymus (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

We investigated how the distribution pattern of eggs and larval on the host plant, Turritus glabra, was influenced by the oviposition behavior of the pierid butterfly Anthocharis scolymus. Females searched for the host plants visually and they frequently approached taller host plants with sparse surrounding vegetation. After encountering host plants, oviposition behavior of females was independent of host plant characteristics such as height, density, and type of surrounding vegetation. A female laid eggs singly on a host plants. Most females appeared to lay their eggs regardless of the presense of eggs on the host plant. Consequently egg and larva tended to be abundant on conspicuous host plants as measured by height or relative isolation from other plants. However, overcrowding of eggs on an individual host decreased the survival rate of larvae.     

Oviposition site selection in Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera): constraints and compromises

Summary Oviposition by Cactoblastis cactorum on Opuntia ficus-indica and O. aurantiaca was assessed from the positioning of egg sticks on plants in the field. The number of egg sticks laid on O. ficus-indica plants was affected by: (1) plant size; (2) moth emergence near the plant; (3) cladode condition; and (4) plant conspicuousness. These factors contributed towards the clumping of egg sticks on plants. There was no apparent oviposition preference for one of the two host plant species despite the fact that egg predation was higher and fecundity lower on O. aurantiaca. The selection of a site for oviposition on the host plants was influenced by: (1) cladode condition; (2) height above ground; and (3) shelter from wind during oviposition. Succulent cladodes were the favoured sites for oviposition. The evidence suggests that in C. cactorum, oviposition site selection is largely the net result of a compromise between oviposition behaviour selected for increasing the probability of juvenile survival and oviposition behaviour selected for increasing the probability of laying the full complement of eggs. In addition, environmental and physiological factors such as wind and wing-loading, are thought to place constraints on the range of sites available for oviposition.     

Effects of seed type and bruchid genotype on the performance and oviposition behavior of Zabrotes subfasciatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

The effect of different bean varieties on the performance of the bruchid beetle Zabrotes subfasciatus Boheman (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), was determined by using wild and cultivated seeds of the genus Phaseolus. Results showed that the quality of the host plant affected the performance and the oviposition behavior of female beetles. Overall, bruchid performance was higher on cultivated seeds than on wild seeds. It was also found that the oviposition behavior and the performance of their offspring differed between females that originated from wild versus cultivated seeds. We also demonstrated the importance of a genetic component in bruchid performance: longevity, fecundity, larval development, adult size, and the sex ratio of the progeny varied according to their maternal lineage (‘familyrsquo;). For example, on the same host type, some females laid twice as many eggs as females from other ‘familiesrsquo;, and the sex ratio among the offspring correlated with that of their mother. Thus, the performance and behavior of Z. subfasciatus are not only affected by environmen tal factors such as the quality of the seeds on which they develop, but also have a genetic basis which can counterbalance a less suitable quality of the host plant. For a crop pest such as Z. subfasciatus, its ability to survive and adapt on host plants of differing quality may be an important attribute to consider for pest management.     

液体植物保护膜防治瓜实蝇的效果评价

【背景】瓜实蝇是一种重要的世界性检疫害虫,广泛分布在我国的热带、亚热带地区。在室内和田间测定了液体植物保护膜对瓜实蝇的控制效能,并初步探索了该保护膜的作用方式,以期为瓜实蝇的绿色防控提供一定的技术支撑。【方法】测定了应用保护膜后瓜实蝇的产卵、存活以及对苦瓜的为害率。【结果】保护膜显著影响了瓜实蝇产卵、存活以及选择性。随着保护膜浓度的升高,瓜实蝇的存活率和在供试苦瓜段上的产卵量逐渐下降,但300和400倍保护膜之间的差异不显著。当浓度达到400倍时产卵量最低,为0.33粒,死亡率最高,约为50%;室内研究发现保护膜可持续影响瓜实蝇产卵5 d;此外,通过将保护膜应用在损伤的苦瓜上,发现保护膜并没有抑制瓜实蝇产卵。在田间,研究发现苦瓜的果长影响了保护膜的应用效能,2种果长的苦瓜应用保护膜后12~14 cm苦瓜的被害率显著低于6~8 cm苦瓜的被害率。【结论与意义】400倍的植物液体保护膜是防治瓜实蝇的最佳浓度,应用时间建议每4 d一次。保护膜最合适的应用时期为果长发育至12~14 cm时,即生长后期。施用保护膜时一定均匀,且在寄主果实受到损伤时不宜喷施保护膜。     

The effect of different host plants on the reproduction and longevity of Nysius natalensis

Nysius natalensis Evans (Hemiptera: Orsillidae) is a pest of sunflower in South Africa. Adults invade sunflower fields from their weedy hosts which occur inside crop fields and on surrounding headlands. The host plant suitability for survival and reproduction as well as the effect of within‐generation host switching was studied on different wild host plants and sunflower. Life history parameters used to assess host plant suitability were F₁ adult survival, pre‐oviposition period, fecundity, and longevity. Nymphs and adults were provided with stems and seeds of five host plants, viz., Amaranthus hybridus L. (Amaranthaceae), Portulaca oleracea L. (Portulacaceae), Chenopodium album L. (Chenopodiaceae), Conyza albida Spreng. (Asteraceae), and sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae). Nymphs were reared on crushed seed of the five plant species. After completion of the nymphal stage, emerging adults of each host plant group were provided with seed of a different host plant species for food. Adults did not survive long on stems only and very few eggs were laid. Seeds of the host plant species were shown to be an essential source of nutrients for N. natalensis reproduction, whereas the vegetative plant parts were unsuitable. Nymphal food and host‐plant switching between the nymphal and adult stages significantly affected the pre‐oviposition period. Nymphal and adult food source also affected female longevity. The number of eggs laid was not influenced by nymphal food, but was influenced by adult food and the switch between nymphal and adult food. The comparative attractiveness of sunflower and wild host plants for oviposition was also investigated and showed that females preferred to lay eggs on wild host plants, compared with sunflower. These results may explain why N. natalensis will lay their eggs on sunflower after weeds in the vicinity are controlled, or senesce toward the end of the growing season.     

Oviposition Site Selection by the Regal Fritillary, Speyeria idalia, as Affected by Proximity of Violet Host Plants

Selection of oviposition sites by female regal fritillary butterflies, Speyeria idalia (Drury), in relation to the location and abundance of their larval food plant, Viola pedatifida G. Don, was studied in Kansas tallgrass prairie. To identify potential cues that females use to select oviposition microsites, we compared plots in which eggs were laid with paired control plots in terms of violet abundance, distance from plot center to the nearest violet plant, plant species composition and relative abundance, plant diversity (Shannon's index), and average plant canopy height. No significant differences occurred between control and oviposition sites for any of these variables (P > 0.15). Violets were present in only 30% of the 1-m-diameter oviposition plots, compared with 24% of the corresponding controls. Furthermore, eggs were never laid directly on violets even when they were present nearby. These data imply that S. idalia females do not preferentially orient to or oviposit on their larval food plant. Nevertheless, female S. idalia did not oviposit randomly, for they invariably chose microsites near the ground that were shaded by the grass/forb overstory and usually deposited eggs on the underside of dead vegetation. We speculate that environmental stresses such as high temperatures and intense solar insolation during the egg stage or harsh overwintering conditions experienced by first-instar larvae impact survival and influence choice of oviposition sites. High fecundity (more than 2000 eggs in some individuals) may allow this species to use a conditional, sweepstakes strategy, i.e., producing and spreading many eggs over prairie that harbors host plants to compensate for low egg and larval survivorship.     

Experience-induced preference for oviposition repellents derived from a non-host plant by a specialist herbivore

Foraging adults of phytophagous insects are attracted by host‐plant volatiles and supposedly repelled by volatiles from non‐host plants. In behavioural control of pest insects, chemicals derived from non‐host plants applied to crops are expected to repel searching adults and thereby reduce egg laying. How experience by searching adults of non‐host volatiles affects their subsequent searching and oviposition behaviour has been rarely tested. In laboratory experiments, we examined the effect of experience of a non‐host‐plant extract on the oviposition behaviour of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, a specialist herbivore of cruciferous plants. Naive ovipositing DBM females were repelled by an extract of dried leaves of Chrysanthemum morifolium, a non‐host plant of DBM, but experienced females were not repelled. Instead they were attracted by host plants treated with the non‐host‐plant extract and laid a higher proportion of eggs on treated than on untreated host plants. Such behavioural changes induced by experience could lead to host‐plant range expansion in phytophagous insects and play an important role in determining outcome for pest management of some behavioural manipulation methods.     

Oviposition preference,larval performance and adaptation of Trichoplusia ni on cabbage and cotton

Most female herbivores ensure to lay eggs where their offspring can develop successfully. The oviposition preferences of females affect strategies in pest management. In this study, the performance of two cohorts of Trichoplusia ni larvae on cabbage and cotton (after they had been transferred from their original host plants) were investigated. The preferences of female moth ovipositing and larval feeding on these two host plants were observed. The results indicated that plants significantly affected oviposition preference of the female adults and development and survival of larvae of T. ni. All females preferred to lay eggs on cabbage than cotton regardless from which host they originated. The detrimental effects of cotton on the development and survival of T. ni larvae originated from cabbage (CaTn) increased with the increase of the larval age when they were transferred. In addition, the host plant change did not significantly affect the development and survival of larvae of T. ni originating from cotton (CoTn). Larvae of CaTn preferred cabbage plants as compared to cotton plants, whereas larvae of CoTn did not show a significant choice. Although the adult females preferred laying eggs on cabbage, they did not show preferences between cotton and cabbage in a Y‐tube olfactometer test. The hypothesis of oviposition preference and performance of larvae was supported by the results of CaTn, whereas they not supported by those from CoTn. Based on these results, the strategy to manage this serious pest was discussed.