Some Aspects on Oviposition Behaviour of Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

• Main Authors: Azidah, A.A., Sofian-Azirun, Mohd
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2006
• Subjects: QH301 Biology
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/5820/1/Some_aspects_on_oviposition_behaviour_of_Spodoptera_exigua_%28H%C3%BCbner%29_%28Lepidoptera_Noctuidae%29.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/5820/

Spodoptera exigua females oviposit on any host plant offered to them. However, they do show oviposition preference among the host plants. The hierarchy of oviposition preference in the three choice test was reflected in the five choice test. The oviposition hierarchy is shallot > long beans > chilly > cabbage > lady's finger. The females prefer to lay eggs on the host plant leaves especially on the abaxial compared to the other part of the plant. Besides that, the females also prefer to lay eggs on the cage. The leaves and leaf stalk position did not influence the oviposition preference.