Host Plant-Selection by Helicoverpa-Armigera (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) - the Role of Some Herbivore Attributes

Abstract

The effect of various 'herbivore' attributes on oviposition in Helicoverpa armigera were considered in a series of laboratory experiments. Larval diet did not influence the rank order of adult host preference, but early adult experience around a host increased oviposition on that host in subsequent trials. The presence of eggs laid 12 h before did not influence subsequent oviposition on a plant, although newly laid eggs may have. The presence of larvae, larval damage to plants and larval frass reduced oviposition on a plant. These results are discussed in relation to polyphagy in H. armigera.

Effects of egg load on the host-selection behaviour of Helicoverpa armigera (HÜbner) (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

“…There are many other factors that interact to determine the actual use of host plants in natural populations Zalucki 1990b, 1991;Fitt 1991;Jallow and Zalucki 1996). Short-range cues used in detecting host plants (Blaney and Simmonds 1990;Ananthakrishnan and Wesley 1993;Jallow 1998), experience with particular host-plant(s) (Firempong and Zalucki 1991;Cunningham et al 1998;Jallow 1998) and genetic differences for host plant preference (Jallow and Zalucki 1996;Jallow 1998) are undoubtedly important in discrimination among potential hosts in the field. This is the first study to address how post-alighting host acceptance of Australian H. armigera is affected by egg load.…”

“…Host specificity and preference in H. armigera is influenced by genetic difference among females (Jallow and Zalucki 1996;Jallow 1998), host plant(s) experienced (Firempong and Zalucki 1991;Jallow 1998;Cunningham et al 1998), and plant factors (Firempong and Zalucki 1990b;Jallow 1998). To control for these factors, we generated 'naïve' females with different egg loads (data on the actual instantaneous egg load at the time of testing females for oviposition preference) while keeping other variables including age, host preference and mating status constant and tested the hypothesis that females will become less discriminating against cowpea (a low-ranked host-plant) relative to maize (a high-ranked host-plant) as egg load increased.…”

Within- and Between-Population Variation in Host-Plant Preference and Specificity in Australian Helicoverpa Armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

“…(Teakle 1991) in order to minimise the influence of host-plant experience on oviposition preference (Jenny et al 1968;Firempong and Zalucki 1991). First-and second-instar larvae were reared collectively in plastic containers at 25"C, a relative humidity of 75% and a photoperiod of 12: 12 h. To prevent cannibalism (Twine 1971), third-instar larvae were held individually in plastic containers (28 mL).…”

Trade-offs of host use between generalist and specialist Helicoverpa sibling species: adult oviposition and larval performance

“…The population of H. assulta was established by collecting larvae in Hunan Province, China, in 2007. Larvae were reared on a pinto bean-based artificial diet (Joyner and Gould 1985) to minimize the possible influence of experience of host plants at this stage (Firempong and Zalucki 1991). The larvae were reared at 27°C under a photoperiod of L:D 14:10 h to prevent diapause.…”