Effect of the larval density of Chrysodeixis includens (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE) on cotton yield.

• Main Author: RODRIGUES, S. M. M.
• Publication Date: 2019
• Other Authors: PITTA, R. M., SANTOS, N. C.
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositório Institucional da EMBRAPA (Repository Open Access to Scientific Information from EMBRAPA - Alice)
• Download full: http://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/handle/doc/1118778
• topic: Herbivory; Management; Falsa-medideira; Herbivoria; Soybean looper; Gossypium Hirsutum; Manejo; Herbivores; Pseudoplusia includens virus

The cultivation of soybean near to cotton areas has favored the migration of lepidopteran pests between those crops, including the soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens, which usually attacks soybean leaves but can also attack cotton plants. The objective of this study is to identify the density of C. includens larvae capable of decreasing cotton productivity. Six treatments (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 16 larvae.meter-1) with five replications were arranged in a completely randomized block design. Plants of cultivar FM 944GL at stage F2 were protected by PVC cages (length, 1.0 m; width, 1.0 m, height, 1.6 m) covered with organza fabric and infested with third-instar larvae. Crop yield and defoliation data were subjected to analysis of variance using the F-test and regression analysis. The results indicated that the presence of two third-instar larvae.m-1 did not affect cotton yield in the F2 phase whereas four or more third-instar larvae.m-1 decreased cotton yield. The rate of defoliation was 4%, 10%, 6%, 13%, and 24% in the treatments with two, four, six, eight, and sixteen larvae, respectively. Keywords: Gossypium hirsutum; soybean looper; herbivory; management.