WESTERN BEAN CUTWORM, STRIACOSTA ALBICOSTA (SMITH) LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE, OVIPOSITION PREFERENCE, LARVAL SURVIVAL AND INSECTICIDE EFFICACY IN DRY BEAN

摘要

The Western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Smith) Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, is a pest native to North America, but is new to Ontario. Larvae of this insect can feed on both corn and dry bean, though its impact to dry bean producers is not well understood. Studies were performed to examine oviposition preference, larval survival, and insecticide efficacy in dry bean.The oviposition study was performed in the greenhouse at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. Seven different dry bean market classes (navy, black, pinto, otebo, light red kidney, dark red kidney, and cranberry) were grown to one of three developmental stages (late vegetative, flowering or early pod-set). Five replicates were performed for the late vegetative and flowering developmental stages, while 4 replicates were performed for the early pod-set stage. Cages lm3 were set-up and one plant fromeach market class was placed inside. Each cage contained plants from only one developmental stage. Five moths (2 female and 3 male) at 2 days of age were added at the beginning of the study. Examination of the plants occurred at 24 h intervals for 3 days, and egg mass presence was recorded. No differences (P<0.05) were found for oviposition on the lower leaf surface when examining preference between either plant developmental stage or market class, however egg mass numbers were low in this study.