Monday, December 10, 2001 - 1:24 PM
0381

Beet armyworm feeding and flight behavior

Peter Carreon, SARC-ARS-USDA, Integrated Farming & Natural Resources Research Unit (IFNRRU), 2413 E. Hwy 83, Bld. 201, Weslaco, TX, Thomas W. Sappington, USDA-ARS, KdlG Subtropical Agricultural Research Center, Integrated Farming & Natural Resources Research Unit, 2413 E. Hwy. 83, Weslaco, TX, and Sasha M. Greenberg, USDA-ARS-SARC, Integrated Farming & Natural Resources Research Unit, 2413 E. Highway 83, Weslaco, TX.

We analyzed effects of age, sex, and host plants on feeding and flight behavior of beet armyworm for two generations. Feeding index values (pupal weight divided by total weight of leaf tissue consumed) were higher on cotton than on cabbage. Number of flights, speed, distance, and duration of flights for male and female individuals, were assesed using 16 computer-interfaced flight mills. Results provided evidence of greater flight activity by moths that were rea red on cotton compared to those reared on cabbage. Understanding flight behavior and feeding preferences will provide key information for managing beet armyworm and will assist in predicting outbreaks.Vee

Species 1: Lepidoptera Noctuidae Spodoptera exigua
Keywords: flight mills

The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA