Eur. J. Entomol. 104 (4): 721-724, 2007 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2007.091

Adult feeding increases fecundity in female Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Zeng-Ming SONG1,2, Zhe LI1,2, Dian-Mo LI*,1, Bao-Yu XIE1, Jing-Yuan XIA3
1 State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
2 Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
3 National Agro-Tech Extension and Service Centre, Beijing, China

The availability and quality of nectar for adults are thought to affect fecundity of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Experiments were conducted to analyze the effect of adult feeding on the fecundity, and oviposition pattern of moths, and larval performance (egg hatch). The moths were fed either on distilled water, honey solution, or one of a range of concentrations of sucrose solution. The results showed that diets with sugars significantly increased fecundity and adult lifespan. Lifespan, total numbers of eggs and egg mass were significantly higher for females that fed on sugar during adult life. Egg hatch (a measure of offspring fitness) decreased over time regardless of sucrose concentration, but had always higher levels in the groups fed sugars. The peak of the ovipositing period was delayed and prolonged, with more eggs deposited, when moths were fed on sugar solution. In conclusion, adult feeding increases the fecundity of female moths and plays an important role in enhancing the fitness of individual cotton bollworm offspring.

Keywords: Noctuidae, Helicoverpa armigera, adult feeding, fecundity, lifespan

Received: November 7, 2006; Revised: May 22, 2007; Accepted: May 22, 2007; Published: October 15, 2007  Show citation

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SONG, Z., LI, Z., LI, D., XIE, B., & XIA, J. (2007). Adult feeding increases fecundity in female Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). EJE, 104(4), 721-724. doi: 10.14411/eje.2007.091
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