Diamondback moth oviposition: effects of host plant and herbivory

The oviposition behaviour of Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. Pekinensis, cv. Wombok), canola (Brassica napus L. cv. Thunder TT), and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata, cv. sugarloaf) (Brassicaceae) was studied in the laboratory. In no‐choice experiments moths laid most eggs on the stems and lower three leaves of cabbage plants, the lower three leaves of canola plants, but on the upper three leaves of Chinese cabbage plants. The effects of conspecific herbivore damage to foliage could be replicated by mechanical damage. When foliage was damaged, injured cabbage and canola plants were preferred for oviposition over intact conspecifics, whereas injured Chinese cabbage plants were less preferred than intact conspecifics. However, when root tissue was damaged, intact cabbage and canola plants were preferred over injured conspecifics, whereas moths did not discriminate between root‐damaged and intact Chinese cabbage plants. Injury to upper leaves significantly affected the intra‐plant distribution of eggs. In cabbage and canola plants, injury to leaf 6 significantly increased the number of eggs laid on this leaf, resulting in a significant decrease in the number of eggs laid on the lower foliage/stem of plants, whereas in Chinese cabbage plants it significantly decreased the number of eggs laid on leaf 6. Following oviposition on intact plants, neonate larvae established the vast majority of feeding sites on leaves 5–8 in all three host plants, indicating that larvae moved a considerable distance from preferred oviposition sites in cabbage and canola plants. The growth rate of neonates fed on leaf‐6 tissue was significantly greater than that of those fed on leaf‐1 tissue; >90% of larvae completed development when fed exclusively on leaf‐6 tissue but no larvae completed development when fed exclusively on leaf‐1 tissue. The study demonstrates the complex and unpredictable interactions between P. xylostella and its host plants and provides a basis from which we can begin to understand observed distributions of the pest in Brassica crops.     

Oviposition preference and larval performance and behavior of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoplusia ni</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on host and nonhost plants

We investigated the female oviposition preference and larval performance and behavior of Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) on cabbage, tomato, soybean (host plants), and wormseed (nonhost plant) in laboratory experiments. In addition, we investigated the role of trichomes in the oviposition of females. Females oviposited more often on cabbage than on tomato, soybean, or wormseed plants. Tomato was the second most preferred plant, followed by soybean and wormseed. Neonate larvae gained more weight on cabbage and tomato than on soybean or wormseed, while second-instar larvae grew better on cabbage than on tomato, soybean, or wormseed. The least growth of neonate larvae occurred on wormseed plants. The orientation of neonate and second-instar larvae to cabbage, tomato, soybean, and wormseed did not differ significantly. Neonate larvae settled equally on leaf discs of cabbage, tomato, soybean, and wormseed, while most second-instar larvae settled on leaf discs of cabbage in comparison with the other plants after 24 h of release. The foliar area consumed by neonate larvae was quite similar among plants, but second-instar larvae consumed more cabbage than tomato, soybean, or wormseed. Comparing different types of leaves, females oviposited more often on mature than young leaves of tomato, soybean, and wormseed. In contrast, females did not show any preference for ovipositing on young or mature leaves of cabbage. In general, we found that the density or length of nonglandular and glandular trichomes of tomato, soybean, and wormseed plants negatively affected oviposition of T. ni females.     

Feeding damage by larvae of the mustard leaf beetle deters conspecific females from oviposition and feeding

Herbivorous insects may be informed about the presence of competitors on the same host plant by a variety of cues. These cues can derive from either the competitor itself or the damaged plant. In the mustard leaf beetle Phaedon cochleariae (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae), adults are known to be deterred from feeding and oviposition by the exocrine glandular secretion of conspecific co-occurring larvae. We hypothesised that the exocrine larval secretion released by feeding larvae may adsorb to the surface of Chinese cabbage leaves, and thus, convey the information about their former or actual presence. Further experiments tested the influence of leaves damaged by conspecific larvae, mechanically damaged leaves, larval frass and regurgitant on the oviposition and feeding behaviour of P. cochleariae. Finally, the effect of previous conspecific herbivory on larval development and larval host selection was assessed. Our results show that (epi)chrysomelidial, the major component of the exocrine secretion from P. cochleariae larvae, was detectable by GC-MS in surface extracts from leaves upon which larvae had fed. However, leaves exposed to volatiles of the larval secretion were not avoided by female P. cochleariae for feeding or oviposition. Thus, we conclude that secretion volatiles did not adsorb in sufficient amounts on the leaf surface to display deterrent activity towards adults. By contrast, gravid females avoided to feed and lay their eggs on leaves damaged by second-instar larvae for three days when compared to undamaged leaves. Mechanical damage of leaves and treatment of artificially damaged leaves with larval frass or regurgitant did not affect oviposition and feeding of P. cochleariae. Since no adverse effects of previous herbivory on larval development were detected, we suggest that female P. cochleariae avoid Chinese cabbage leaves damaged by feeding larvae for other reasons than escape from competition or avoidance of direct negative effects that result from consuming induced plant material.     

寄主植物叶片物理性状对潜叶昆虫的影响

潜叶昆虫广泛分布于鳞翅目、双翅目、鞘翅目和膜翅目中,其幼虫潜入叶片内部生活和取食,是一类用于研究植物-昆虫-天敌种间关系和协同进化的重要模式生物。有些潜叶昆虫是重要农林害虫。相比外食性昆虫,在叶内取食的潜叶昆虫幼虫更易受到叶片物理性状的直接影响。叶片的着生位置、朝向、大小、颜色和表皮毛等直接决定潜叶虫成虫的取食和产卵选择,从而影响幼虫的空间分布和寄主适应。叶片的某些物理性状也会直接影响幼虫的取食行为、生长发育和被寄生率。研究叶片物理性状的防御作用以及潜叶昆虫对这些防御的适应,有助于了解潜叶昆虫-寄主植物的协同进化。另一方面,外界环境和遗传育种都有可能改变植物叶片的物理特性,而对潜叶害虫产生抗性,从而实现潜叶害虫的可持续生态控制。     

Differential parasitism of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) larvae by the parasitoid Cotesia plutellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on two host plant species

Laboratory experiments were conducted to examine host selection by Cotesia plutellae Kurdjumov when larvae of its host, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus), fed on Chinese cabbage, Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis and those fed on common cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata were provided simultaneously, and to investigate the roles of plant and host volatiles in mediating host selection. When C. plutellae were provided with equal numbers of host larvae on plants of the two species in one arena, the parasitoid parasitized 4- to 15-fold more host larvae on Chinese cabbage than on common cabbage. This preference changed little with host density. However, an experience of searching coupled with an oviposition in a host larva on a leaf of the less-preferred plant, common cabbage, significantly increased the preference for parasitizing host larvae on this plant and resulted in twice as many host larvae parasitized on this plant than on Chinese cabbage. Dual choice tests with a Y-tube olfactometer showed that plant volatiles from Chinese cabbage were more attractive to female C. plutellae than those from common cabbage when plants of both species were either intact or infested. In parallel to the increased parasitism on common cabbage following experience, oviposition in a host larva on this less-preferred plant significantly increased the response to volatiles emanating from that plant. These results indicate that host plants may strongly influence the foraging behaviour of C. plutellae, but their differential attractiveness to the parasitoid may be altered by experience of the parasitoid.     

外源茉莉酸诱导植物反应对菜蛾绒茧蜂寄生选择行为的影响

茉莉酸是植物体内重要的伤信号分子,向植物施用外源茉莉酸后, 可诱导植物产生各种防卫反应, 如挥发物组成发生改变等, 进而影响植食性昆虫及其天敌。该文报道用不同浓度外源茉莉酸处理白菜和甘蓝后,诱导植物反应所产生的挥发物对菜蛾绒茧蜂搜索及寄生选择行为的影响。外源茉莉酸处理白菜和甘蓝后,处理植株的挥发物对菜蛾绒茧蜂的引诱力增强;与在对照植株上相比,该蜂对经茉莉酸处理后白菜植株上的小菜蛾幼虫的寄生数显著要高。表明茉莉酸处理白菜及甘蓝后,植物诱导反应导致其挥发物的作用发生变化,进而可提高该蜂的搜索和寄生效率。     

Diamondback moth egg susceptibility to rainfall: effects of host plant and oviposition behavior

Oviposition patterns of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), differ between common cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. var. pekinensis) (Brassicaceae) host plants. This study shows that the moth prefers to oviposit on adaxial rather than abaxial leaf surfaces and petioles of both host plants. More eggs were laid in leaf veins than on leaf laminas of both host plants, especially in Chinese cabbage, where 94.6% of eggs were laid in veins. On Chinese cabbage, very few eggs were laid in clusters (≥2 eggs), whereas on common cabbage approximately 30% of eggs were laid in groups of 2 or more eggs. Removal of wax from common cabbage leaves dramatically increased the number of eggs laid singly on the leaf lamina of treated plants, suggesting that leaf waxes affect how eggs are distributed by ovipositing DBM. Eggs were most susceptible to removal by rainfall from the plant surface immediately (<1 h) after oviposition and when close to hatching (>72h old) whereas they were least susceptible 24 h after oviposition. Eggs laid on common cabbage plants were more susceptible to simulated rainfall than eggs laid on Chinese cabbage plants. On common cabbage plants, egg susceptibility to rainfall on different plant parts ranked adaxial leaf surfaces>petioles = abaxial leaf surfaces>stem, but there was no difference in egg susceptibility to rainfall on the various plant parts of Chinese cabbage. Furthermore, on common cabbage plants, eggs laid on both adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces were afforded significant protection from the effects of rainfall by leaves higher in the plant canopy. On common cabbage plants, oviposition patterns reduce the potential impact of rainfall on eggs, possibly reducing the effect of this important abiotic mortality factor in the field.     

亚麻荠对小菜蛾幼虫取食和成虫行为反应的影响

亚麻荠是一种很少有害虫危害的油料作物。用室内生测和Y 型嗅觉仪研究了亚麻荠对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella幼虫取食和成虫行 为反应的影响。以甘蓝作对照,用亚麻荠叶片喂养的小菜蛾初孵幼虫3天后校正死亡率为79 .2%,显示了较强的致死作用;喂养小菜蛾3龄幼虫至化蛹,其存活率、化蛹率、蛹重及成 虫寿命都显著降低,表明亚麻荠对小菜蛾幼虫的生长发育有不利影响。在幼虫的取食选择实 验中,有甘蓝叶供选择时,小菜蛾幼虫不取食亚麻荠;在无可选择的情况下,小菜蛾幼虫也 取 食亚麻荠叶片,但取食量很小,与取食甘蓝叶的量相比,差异极显著。行为反应测试表明, 小菜蛾成虫对甘蓝和亚麻荠植株的挥发物都有明显的趋性反应,与对照（净化空气）相比, 差异极显著,而在甘蓝和亚麻荠之间无选择性。说明小菜蛾成虫对亚麻荠植株的挥发物具有 较强的定向反应。     

Preference for protected feeding sites by larvae of the willow-feeding leaf beetle Galerucella lineola

1. Free-living insects are often thought of as more vulnerable to environmental hazards than concealed insects, such as galling or mining insects. The possibility that larvae of the free-living leaf beetle Galerucella lineola seek out existing plant structures and thereby become partly concealed was explored.
2. Neonate larvae of G. lineola frequently feed in rolled-in margins of young leaves of their host plant, Salix viminalis . In addition to nutritional benefits from feeding on young leaves, larvae may also gain protection against adverse weather conditions and general predators by feeding in the leaf rolls. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to test these hypotheses.
3. Artificial shelters were constructed and cohorts of neonate larvae were placed on experimental plants. In all experiments, larvae preferred to feed in shelters, even when shelters were constructed on mature leaves.
4. In one of the experiments, fewer larvae disappeared when shelters were provided. In a predator exclusion experiment, however, no differences in predator-inflicted mortality on G. lineola were found between shelter-containing shoots and control shoots.
5. A laboratory experiment showed increased protection from desiccation when shelters were present; growth rate was higher for larvae feeding on plants with shelters.
6. Thus, free-living insects may not always be as exposed to environmental hazards as is often assumed. In particular, young larvae may take advantage of preformed structures on their host plant and feed in a concealed microhabitat. Because mortality, in general, is high during early instars, shelter-seeking behaviour may increase survival significantly. The existence of preformed shelters may therefore be a plant characteristic that should be considered when exploring the environmental risks associated with the free-living habit.     

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Foraging of Host-Habitat and Superparasitism in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cotesia glomerata</Emphasis>: A Gregarious Parasitoid of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pieris brassicae</Emphasis>

The study investigates differences in the oviposition pattern of a braconid parasitoid, Cotesia glomerata (Linn.) in Pieris brassicae (Linn.) in relation to their use of different cruciferous food plants. The response of P. brassicae to superparasitism and consequences for the parasitoid were examined in order to elucidate the ecological significance of this behaviour. Female parasitoid located various crucifers and searched for host more frequently almost on all the host plants tested i.e. cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, broccoli and radish. According to the estimated relative number of female locating hosts, cabbage was the most attractive plant for C. glomerata and total number of eggs laid in host larvae feeding on it was higher than in larvae feeding on other plants. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that superparasitism reduced survivorship of P. brassicae larvae. Superparasitism lengthened parasitoid development and prolonged the feeding period of host larvae. Sex ratio and the body weight of emergent wasps correlated negatively with brood size. Despite a trade-off between maximising brood size and optimising the fitness of individual offspring, two or three ovipositions on P. brassicae larvae resulted in a greater female dry mass than did a single oviposition on the host. Thus, superparasitism might be of adaptive significance under certain circumstances, especially when host density is low and unparasitized hosts are rare in a habitat.     

Young aphids avoid erroneous dropping when evading mammalian herbivores by combining input from two sensory modalities

Mammalian herbivores may incidentally ingest plant-dwelling insects while foraging. Adult pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) avoid this danger by dropping off their host plant after sensing the herbivore's warm and humid breath and the vibrations it causes while feeding. Aphid nymphs may also drop (to escape insect enemies), but because of their slow movement, have a lower chance of finding a new plant. We compared dropping rates of first-instar nymphs with those of adults, after exposing pea aphids to different combinations of simulated mammalian breath and vibrations. We hypothesized that nymphs would compensate for the greater risk they face on the ground by interpreting more conservatively the mammalian herbivore cues they perceive. Most adults dropped in response to breath alone, but nymphs rarely did so. Breath stimulus accompanied by one concurrent vibrational stimulus, caused a minor rise in adult dropping rates. Adding a second vibration during breath had no additional effect on adults. The nymphs, however, relied on a combination of the two types of stimuli, with a threefold increase in dropping rates when the breath was accompanied by one vibration, and a further doubling of dropping rates when the second vibration was added. The age-specificity of the aphids' herbivore detection mechanism is probably an adaptation to the different cost of dropping for the different age groups. Relying on a combination of stimuli from two sensory modalities enables the vulnerable nymphs to avoid costly mistakes. Our findings emphasize the importance of the direct trophic effect of mammalian herbivory for plant-dwelling insects.     

Leaf trenching by Indian red admiral caterpillars for feeding and shelter construction

Many folivorous insects sever leaf veins, trench across leaf blades, or girdle petioles prior to feeding on leaves. The purpose of these behaviours is generally thought to be sabotage of the anti-herbivore chemical defences of host plants. For insects that construct leaf shelters, these behaviours may make leaves easier to roll or fold. Larvae of the Indian red admiral butterfly, Vanessa indica (Herbst), cut trenches at the base of host plant leaves and construct leaf-fold shelters. I attempted to determine which of the above functions the trenching behaviour of V. indica larvae serves. If the function of trenching is to facilitate leaf-folding, then larvae should cut trenches before folding leaves. When the larvae used larger leaves, they tended to trench them prior to folding them. This suggests that the function of trenching behaviour is to make leaves easier to fold. However, larvae sometimes cut trenches after folding the leaves, suggesting that this behaviour has additional functions. When the larvae were about to moult or pupate, they did not cut trenches, suggesting that trenching behaviour may also be involved in feeding.     

Effects of host plant leaf damage on cabbage looper moth attraction and oviposition

Mated femaleTrichoplusia ni (Hubner) moths, when presented a choice of either undamaged cotton plants,Gossypium hirsutum L., or damaged plants (cut leaves or feedingT. ni larvae) in a flight tunnel, were most often attracted first to the damaged plants. However, these same moths oviposited primarily on the undamaged plants. In a similar test with cabbage plants,Brassica oleracea L., the presence of conspecific larvae decreased both attraction and oviposition. Cuts to cabbage leaves had no significant effect on attraction or oviposition. When presented one plant at a time, percentages of cabbage looper moths attracted were not affected by the presence of larvae on either cabbage or cotton plants, or by cuts to cabbage plant leaves. Percentages of moths attracted were, however, higher using cotton plants with cut leaves. The results suggest an important role for damage induced plant volatiles in host location as well as host acceptance byT. ni.     

二氧化硫对墨西哥豆瓢虫的影响

空气污染对害虫的影响,国内尚无研究报道。本文报道了作者在美国农业研究中心植物胁迫实验室进行的部分工作。实验结果表明,在0.30ppmSO_2的作用下,墨西哥豆瓢虫(Epilachna varivestis)的取食量和蛹重增加;与未受污染的寄主植物相比,豆瓢虫偏食受污染的植物;而且有嗜食含较高糖分寄主植物的倾向;在污染空气中长成的成虫可消耗更多的植物物质。     

Host plant mediation of diapause induction in the cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringi Baly （Coleoptera： Chrysomelidae）

The cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringiBaly （Coleoptera： Chrysomelidae）, is a serious pest of crucifers in China, undergoing an imaginal summer and winter diapause in the soil. The effects of host plants on diapause incidence were tested in the beetle. The ratio of adults entering diapause was significantly low when they fed on the mature leaves of Chinese cabbage Shanghaiqin （Brassica chinesis var communis） than those feeding on Chinese cabbage Suzhouqin （Brassica chinesis var communis）, radish （Raphanus sativus var longipinnatus） and stem mustard （Brassicajuncea vat tumida） at 25℃ combined with 13：11 （L： D） h. Fewer adults entered diapause on young leaves compared to physiologically aged and mature radish leaves at 25℃ combined with 13：11 （L： D） h. The effect of host plant species on diapause induction was also evident under continuously dark rearing conditions or at different photoperiods. These experimental results demonstrate that host plant mediation of diapause induction exists in the cabbage beetle. However, at temperatures ≤20℃ or photoperiods of 16：8 （L： D） h combined with 25℃, all individuals entered diapause regardless of the host plants, indicating that the effects of host plants on diapause induction could be expressed only within a limited range of temperatures and photoperiods.     

Effects of leaf pubescence in Salix borealis on host- plant choice and feeding behaviour of the leaf beetle, Melasoma lapponica

Density of leaf trichomes in Salix borealis affected both the choice of individual host plants and feeding behaviour of adults and last instar larvae of the willow feeding leaf beetle, Melasoma lapponica. Beetles clearly preferred shaved disks to unshaved ones taken from the same leaf; this preference was highest in leaves of the most pubescent plants. High leaf pubescence explained the low preference for willow clones from the high density site in among-site preference trials; shaving significantly increased the consumption of these pubescent willow clones. In no-choice experiments, the food consumption by both adults and last instar larvae decreased with an increase in leaf pubescence. The time budget of adults did not depend on leaf pubescence of the host plants, however adults compelled to feed on highly pubescent plants changed their feeding sites twice as often as on less pubescent willow clones. Larvae feeding on highly pubescent plants spend moving three times as much time as larvae feeding on less pubescent plants. Combined with our earlier observations on the increase in leaf pubescence in the year(s) following defoliation, these data suggest that leaf hairiness may have contributed to the delayed induced resistance in S. borealis by disturbing the feeding behaviour of M. lapponica.     

Changes in Clonal Poplar Leaf Chemistry Caused by Stem Galls Alter Herbivory and Leaf Litter Decomposition

Gall-inducing insects are highly specialized herbivores that modify the phenotype of their host plants. Beyond the direct manipulation of plant morphology and physiology in the immediate environment of the gall, there is also evidence of plant-mediated effects of gall-inducing insects on other species of the assemblages and ecosystem processes associated with the host plant. We analysed the impact of gall infestation by the aphid Pemphigus spirothecae on chemical leaf traits of clonal Lombardy poplars (Populus nigra var. italica) and the subsequent effects on intensity of herbivory and decomposition of leaves across five sites. We measured the herbivory of two feeding guilds: leaf-chewing insects that feed on the blade (e.g. caterpillars and sawfly larvae) and skeletonising insects that feed on the mesophyll of the leaves (e.g. larvae of beetles). Galled leaves had higher phenol (35%) and lower nitrogen and cholorophyll contents (35% respectively 37%) than non-galled leaves, and these differences were stronger in August than in June. Total herbivory intensity was 27% higher on galled than on non-galled leaves; damage by leaf chewers was on average 61% higher on gall infested leaves, whereas damage by skeletonising insects was on average 39% higher on non-galled leaves. After nine months the decomposition rate of galled leaf litter was 15% lower than that of non-galled leaf litter presumably because of the lower nitrogen content of the galled leaf litter. This indicated after-life effects of gall infestation on the decomposers. We found no evidence for galling x environment interactions.     

Host plant resistance in romaine lettuce affects feeding behavior and biology of Trichoplusia ni and Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Lettuce quality and yield can be reduced by feeding of several lepidopterous pests, particularly cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), and beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Host plant resistance to these insects is an environmentally sound adjunct to conventional chemical control. In this study we compared the survival, development, and feeding behavior of cabbage looper and beet armyworm on two romaine lettuce cultivars, resistant 'Valmaine' and susceptible 'Tall Guzmaine'. Larval mortality of both species was significantly higher on resistant Valmaine than on susceptible Tall Guzmaine. The average weight per larva after feeding for 1 wk on Tall Guzmaine plants was 6 times (beet armyworm) and 2 times (cabbage looper) greater than that of larvae feeding on Valmaine plants. Significant reduction in larval growth on Valmaine compared with that on Tall Guzmaine resulted in a 5.9- (beet armyworm) and 2.6-d (cabbage looper) increase in larval duration and almost a 1-d increase in pupal duration. Average pupal and adult weights and successful pupation of cabbage looper and beet armyworm were reduced on Valmaine compared with Tall Guzmaine. The sex ratio of progeny did not deviate from 1:1 when larvae were reared on either Valmaine or Tall Guzmaine. The fecundity of cabbage looper and beet armyworm adults that developed from larvae reared on Valmaine was about one-third that of adults from Tall Guzmaine, but adult longevity did not significantly differ on the two lettuce cultivars. The two insect species showed different feeding preferences for leaves of different age groups on Valmaine and Tall Guzmaine. Cabbage loopers cut narrow trenches on the leaf before actual feeding to block the flow of latex to the intended site of feeding. In contrast, beet armyworms did not trench. The different feeding behavior of the two species on Valmaine may explain the superior performance of cabbage looper compared with beet armyworm.     

Xanthophylls are key constituents of semi‐synthetic diets for continuous breeding of Pieris brassicae without food plant

Semi‐synthetic or fully artificial diets are well established in culturing laboratory insects on a large scale. In Pieris brassicae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), a published semi‐synthetic diet supplemented with sinigrin, a chemical label of cruciferous plants, is well accepted by the larvae but the adults fail to produce offspring; continuous breeding, therefore, requires the addition of cabbage powder to the diet. We set out to identify essential substances to eliminate the need for cabbage in our long‐term mass culture. The studies revealed that the dietary difference, which becomes most evident at the adult stage only, is because of a severe lack of carotenoids in the cabbage‐free version. This was uncovered in larvae, fed cabbage‐supplemented diet, that respond to blue light of sufficient intensity by high cuticle melanization on pupation; larvae fed the carotenoid‐deficient sinigrin‐supplemented diet fail to respond in this way. Males were found to be more sensitive than females to blue light in this respect. The essential substance mediating this photo response was found to be lutein and/or zeaxanthin, two abundant xanthophylls of green leaves. β‐Carotene was only marginally active. These xanthophylls are known to serve as precursors to the synthesis of 3‐hydroxyretinal, the exclusive visual chromophore of lepidopteran insects; retinal, derived from β‐carotene, is not (substantially) used by these insects. In conclusion, the absence of flying and mating activity in the adults from the sinigrin diet may indicate visual deficiency owing to a lack of a specific structural class of carotenoids in the larval food. Our results enabled us to formulate a semi‐synthetic diet that allows continuous mass rearing of P. brassicae without cabbage at any stage including oviposition. In addition to the key constituents sinigrin and xanthophylls, this superior diet includes tryptophan, as methyl ester, and α‐tocopherol.     

Stay or move: how Bt‐susceptible Helicoverpa armigera neonates behave on Bt cotton plants

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae occasionally have been reported to survive at management threshold levels in fields of Bollgard II^® cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. (Malvaceae). The pattern and degree of larval survival is not easily predicted but depends on the ability of first instars to establish on host plants. Experiments were conducted with Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt)‐susceptible and Bt‐resistant larvae of H. armigera to understand how physiologically Bt‐susceptible H. armigera survive on Bt cotton plants, and examine how their first meal influences survival rates. In assays using cotton plant parts, both strains of larvae displayed similar tendencies to drop‐off specific plant parts of Bt and non‐Bt cotton. However, significantly more Bt‐susceptible larvae dropped off young leaves, mature leaves, and squares of Bt cotton compared to non‐Bt cotton plants. Egg cannibalism significantly improved the survival of Bt‐susceptible H. armigera larvae on Bt cotton plants. Larvae were more likely to eat live aged eggs, than newly laid or dead eggs. Survival significantly improved when larvae cannibalized eggs before feeding on Bt leaves. The behavior of Bt‐susceptible larvae with respect to drop‐off and egg cannibalism may help enhance their survival on Bt cotton plants.