Oviposition of leafworm and feeding of its neonate larvae on cotton treated with kaolin

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the ability of kaolin to affect oviposition and feeding of Alabama argillacea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on cotton. The oviposition preference, the egg viability, and the feed consumption of the first instar larvae of A. argillacea were determined on cotton leaves treated or not with kaolin. The oviposition preference was determined under choice test and confinement, in a randomized complete block design, in a 2x7 factorial arrangement, represented by the treatments with kaolin in distilled water (60 g L^-1) or distilled water only (control), and by the evaluation of seven plant structures. The feed consumption by the first instar larvae was determined in a completely randomized design, in a 2x4 factorial arrangement, represented by the treatment with kaolin in distilled water, by the control, and by the four observation periods (6, 12, 24, and 48 hours). The oviposition of cotton leafworm moths was reduced in cotton plants treated with kaolin; however, the viability of eggs was not affected. Leaf stem was the preferred structure for oviposition. Survival and feed consumption of first instar larvae of cotton leafworm are lower on cotton plants treated with kaolin.