Efecto de la edad de las hojas de soja sobre el crecimiento y reproducción de Rachiplusia nu (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Authors

  • Patricia C. Pereyra Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPA VE), UNLP-CONICET, 2 No. 584, 1900, La Plata, Argentina

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of soybean leaf age on larval and adult performance of Rachiplusia nu (Guenée) reared on leaves of December (vegetative stage) and February (reproductive stage). The following variables were measured: leaf water content, nutritional indices of last instar larvae (growth and consumption rates, gross and net efficiency of conversion of food in biomass, approximate digestibility), duration of larval stage and pupal weight. Fecundity, oviposition rate, life span of adult females, preoviposition and ovipositors periods, were measured for two groups of females fed with soybean leaves of December and February, through their larval .stage. Leaf water content was significantly higher in December than in February, and this would partially explain the decrease in food quality throughout the crop season. R. nu larvae had á faster growth, higher efficiency of conversion of food in biomass, a shorter larval period, and a higher pupal weight when individuals were fed with leaves of December. No significant difference was found in the fecundity of the adults but oviposition rate was higher in december. These results show that food quality and its effect on herbivore performance should be taken into account regarding pest control strategies.

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Published

1994-06-01

How to Cite

Pereyra, P. C. (1994). Efecto de la edad de las hojas de soja sobre el crecimiento y reproducción de Rachiplusia nu (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Ecología Austral, 4(1), 041–047. Retrieved from https://ojs.ecologiaaustral.com.ar/index.php/Ecologia_Austral/article/view/1709

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Articles