OVIPOSITION AND LONGEVITY OF THE DARK-SIDED CUTWORM, EUXOA MESSORIA (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE), IN THE LABORATORY

Abstract

In the laboratory, the mean number of eggs laid per female of the dark-sided cutworm, Euxoa messoria (Harris), fed on honey solution was 1303.8; when given water alone 261.3; and 86.4 when held without food or water. Adult food significantly increased the longevity and oviposition period and reduced the pre-oviposition period. There was no significant difference between the weight of male and female pupae. The weight of the female pupae was significantly correlated with: the oviposition period; the number of eggs laid; the longevity, except moths fed on honey solution; but not the pre-oviposition period, regardless of food taken as adults. Females fed on honey solution mated successfully, 30% of them more than once. When given water or nothing the number of mated females was reduced. Dissections showed that adult food accelerated the development of eggs and increased the fecundity potential.