Biological parameters of tobacco budworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) reared on corn cobs at different temperatures

• Autor(a) principal: Bortolotto, Orcial Ceolin
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Bueno, Adeney de Freitas, Silva, Gabriela Vieira, Baixo, Bruna Teixeira
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Pesquisa Agropecuária Tropical (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://revistas.ufg.br/pat/article/view/71797

The tobacco budworm Chloridea (Heliothis) virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has been recently reported in corn crops. However, there is no information regarding the biology of this species feeding on corn cobs. Additionally, the relationship between temperature and tobacco budworm feeding habits is important to project the adaptation of the insect in corn crops at different times and regions. This study aimed to investigate the development of C. virescens feeding on corn cobs, under controlled laboratory conditions, at three temperatures (25 ± 1 ºC, 28 ± 1 ºC and 31 ± 1 ºC). Although adult budworms were observed at all temperatures, the larval development period was reduced at 31 ± 1 ºC, resulting in a lower grain consumption. On the other hand, biological parameters such as larval and pupal viability, pupal weight and sex ratio did not vary with temperature. During the adult stage, a similar fecundity was recorded at all temperatures; however, the egg viability was zero. The optimal temperature for the C. virescens development was between 25 ± 1 ºC and 28 ± 1 ºC. The temperature of 31 ± 1 ºC affects the eggs development, preventing the next generation of tobacco budworms. KEYWORDS: Chloridea (Heliothis) virescens (F.), Heliothinae, corn pest, global warming.