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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #283888
Title: Life table studies of rachiplusia nu (guenée) and chrysodeixis (= pseudoplusia) includens (Walker) (lepidoptera: noctuidae) on artificial diet

Author
item BARRIONUEVO, M.JOSE - Instituto Nacional Tecnologia Agropecuaria
item MURUA, M. GABRIELA - Estacion Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres (EEAOC)
item GOANE, LUCIA - Estacion Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres (EEAOC)
item Meagher, Robert - Rob
item NAVARRO, FERNANDO - Consejo Nacional De Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas(CONICET)

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/20/2012
Publication Date: 12/1/2012
Citation: Barrionuevo, M., Murua, M., Goane, L., Meagher Jr, R.L., Navarro, F. 2012. Life table studies of rachiplusia nu (guenée) and chrysodeixis (= pseudoplusia) includens (walker) (lepidoptera: noctuidae) on artificial diet. Florida Entomologist. 95(4):944-951.

Interpretive Summary: The production of soybeans has increased dramatically over the last decade in northern Argentina. With the increase in crop acreage, insect pest populations have also expanded. Several caterpillar species known as loopers have been identified and are becoming serious economic pests. However, basic biological information concerning development and population increase is not known. Scientists with several government institutes in Argentina and at the USDA, Agriculture Research Service,Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, conducted greenhouse experiments using two looper species. One of the species, the soybean looper (Chrysodeixis includens), is also an important pest in the U.S. Results suggested that both species have the potential to quickly increase their populations in the laboratory. This work will improve artificial rearing procedures for these species.

Technical Abstract: Rachiplusia nu (Guenée) and Chrysodeixis (= Pseudoplusia) includens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are two economically important species in soybean in northern Argentina. Life cycle, reproductive and population parameters of R. nu and C. includens reared on artificial diet were determined under controlled environmental conditions. Population parameters of both species were similar except for the net reproductive rate (Ro). The number of eggs per female per day (fecundity) was higher for R. nu, and increased from day two to three with values of 67.6 and 75.7 eggs per female, respectively. An average of 71.1% (R. nu) and 71.4% (C. includens) of individuals reached the adult stage and the life expectancy (ex) curve showed four and three periods of mortality. The survivorship curves of the two species resembled the theoretical type I. Life table analysis determined that R. nu and C. includens have the potential to quickly increase their populations under controlled rearing conditions. These results provide important information that will be used to improve artificial rearing procedures and ultimately be used in predicting outbreaks in soybean.