Performance of helicoverpa armigera larvae on leaves of plant species / Desempenho de larvas de helicoverpa armigera em folhas de espécies vegetais

Abstract

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lep.: Noctuidae) has established itself as a soybean pest in southern Brazil; however, as a polyphagous species, the caterpillar has been found in other economically important crops and even uncultivated plants. The nutritional value of host plants as food sources influences biological performance, which can interfere with population dynamics and pest management. In this sense, an experiment was carried out to assess the effect of different foods on biological aspects and larval consumption. Eight plant species were evaluated, including cultivated plants, ground cover plants, and weeds. Soybean, where caterpillars acquired greater importance as a pest, was considered the standard food. The plants were grown in pots in a greenhouse, and the leaves were harvested to feed the larvae as they hatched. The findings show that H. armigera larvae fed on canola or radish leaves exhibit biological performance comparable to that fed on soybean. The larvae did not survive when fed ryegrass, horseweed, corn, or wheat.