Abstract
Spodoptera litura is a highly polyphagous pest which causes significant yield losses to wide range of economically important agricultural and horticultural crops. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effects of age, diurnal cycle, and plant and non-plant surfaces on the ovipositional responses of tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura. Females laid eggs beginning from the first day of emergence, and the number of eggs laid was highest on day 4. Thereafter, egg laying decreased successively, and was stopped on day 13. A profound effect of the day-night cycle on oviposition was observed: oviposition was lowest and highest in the beginning of light and dark phase respectively of the 24-hour cycle. However, the egg laying increased slowly as day progressed and decreased gradually as the night progressed, but on the whole, egg laying was significantly high in dark phase as compared to light phase. Further, both plant and non-plant surfaces affect egg delivery response. Females preferred the plant surface for egg laying, compared to non-plant surfaces. The eggs laid on castor, radish and cotton leaves were similar in the no-choice test. In two-choice test, however, the number of eggs laid on castor leaves was significantly higher than those laid on radish and cotton leaves, but were not significantly different from those on pigeon pea. Among the non-plant surfaces, females laid higher number of eggs on rough surface like glass nylon, filter paper, muslin cloth, as compared those on a smooth glass plate surface. The implications of findings in integrated management of this pest has been discussed.
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The present work was carried out in the laboratory of Prof. Ashok Kumar Singh, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India who extended all the necessary facilities and guidance for this work. Authors are thankful for his valuable suggestions and comments in preparing draft of this manuscript.
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Deen, S.P.Y., Sharma, A.V., Singh, P. et al. Influence of age, diurnal cycle, and plant and non-plant surfaces on oviposition by Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Int J Trop Insect Sci 43, 1553–1561 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-023-01079-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-023-01079-3