A QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF FOOD CONSUMPTION AND GROWTH IN PSEUDALETIA UNIPUNCTA (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractLarvae of Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haw.), reared on corn foliage, were found to vary in the rate they were able to feed, grow, and attain maturity. Mortality varied inversely with the rate of food intake. In the fifth and sixth instars, there was a direct linear relationship between rate of food intake and daily growth, and rate of food intake and daily development. A variance of 78 to 96% in final weights of the two stages was explained by the combined effect of initial weights of larvae, food supply, duration of feeding, and food ingested. Fecundity increased with the rate of food intake of the larvae.When P. unipuncta feeds at a high rate, it is able to accelerate development, increase growth, and maintain a high reproductive potential. When the rate of food intake is low, development, growth, and fecundity are reduced for the sake of survival.