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A high incidence of parasitism ofHeliothis SPP. [Lep.: Noctuidae] larvae in cotton in Southeastern Arkansas

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Abstract

During 1981 and 1982, bollworm,Heliothis zea (Boddie), and tobacco budworm,H. virescens (F.), larvae (n=3,666) were collected from 41 cotton fields near Portland, Arkansas (USA) to assess the occurrence of parasitism. Three strategies were employed to controlHeliothis spp. in these fields: (1) release ofTrichogramma pretiosum Riley; (2) insecticidal control; or (3) inaction (check). Insecticide use in nonchemical control fields was reduced, but not eliminated.Heliothis spp. larvae collected in cotton had higher parasitism rates in 1981 (30.9%) and 1982 (50.1%) than had been reported for cotton since the advent of organochlorine insecticide usage. Four species of larval parasites and 1 species of larval-pupal parasite were recorded. The larval parasiteMicroplitis croceipes (Cresson) comprised 90.6% and 94.5% of all parasitic insects reared from field collectedHeliothis spp. in 1981 and 1982, respectively. No difference (P>0.05) in level of parasitism existed betweenH. zea andH. virescens. Differences between treatments occurred only in 1982 whenH. zea larvae were parasitized at a greater (P<0.05) rate in check fields (68.3%) than in insecticidal control fields (44.3%). Higher levels of larval parasitism in cotton fields may be a consequence of reduced insecticide usage and changes in materials applied, particularly the pyrethroids.

Résumé

Afin d'évaluer la fréquence du parasitisme des larves de la Noctuelle du maïs (Heliothis zea Boddie) et de la Noctuelle du tabac (H. virescens F.), 3.666 larves ont été récoltées dans 41 champs de coton situés près de Portland (Arkansas). Trois méthodes ont été employées pour limiter les populations d'Heliothis spp. dans ces plantations: (1) le lâcher deTrichogramma pretiosum Riley; (2) la lutte chimique; (3) la non-intervention (témoin). L'emploi des insecticides dans les plantations non protégées chimiquement fut réduit, mais pas totalement éliminé. Les larves d'Heliothis spp. récoltées sur coton avaient des taux de parasitisme supérieurs en 1981 avec 30,9% et en 1982 avec 50,1% à ceux qui avaient été rapportés avant l'utilisation sur coton des insecticides organochlorés. Quatre espèces de parasites larvaires et une cinquième attaquant aussi les chrysalides ont été obtenues. Le parasite larvaireMicroplitis croceipes (Cresson) représentait 90,6% en 1981 et 94,5% en 1982 des parasites éclos des larves d'Heliothis récoltées. Il n'existait pas de différence significative (P>0.05) au niveau du degré de parasitisme entre les espècesH. zea etH. virescens. Des différences entre les traitements eurent lieu uniquement en 1982 quand le taux de parasitisme des larves d'H. zea fut plus élevé (P<0.05) dans les plantations témoins (68,3%) que dans cells soumises à une protection chimique (44,3%). Les niveaux plus élevés de parasitisme larvaire dans les champs de coton peuvent être la conséquence d'une réduction d'emploi des insecticides et de leur remplacement par de nouvelles matières actives, telles que les pyréthrinoïdes.

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Author notes

  1. R. J. Coleman

    Present address: Research Entomologists and Biological Technician (third author), respectively, Southern Field Crop Insect Management Laboratory, USDA, ARS, 38776, Stoneville, MS

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Southern Field Crop Insect Management Laboratory Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 38776, Stoneville, MS

    E. G. King, J. E. Powell & R. J. Coleman

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  1. E. G. King
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  2. J. E. Powell
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King, E.G., Powell, J.E. & Coleman, R.J. A high incidence of parasitism ofHeliothis SPP. [Lep.: Noctuidae] larvae in cotton in Southeastern Arkansas. Entomophaga 30, 419–426 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372349

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