International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 899-903, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Effects of five different hosts on the longevity capacity of Gypsy moth under laboratory conditions and in the field

Abdullah Akbar

Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of Kohgilouyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Yasooj, Iran. P. O. Box: 351. Post code: 75916-33816. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 12 November,  2015

Abstract 

Food consumption, survival rate, age specific longevity and fecundity of gypsy moth were studied on five different host species, including apple (Malus domestica), black poplar (Populus nigra), white poplar (Populus alba), oak (Quercus sp.) and pear (Prunus communis) under laboratory and field conditions in Yasooj area. The obtained results indicated that the total consumed leaf surface by a larva on apple (M. domestica) was the highest with the amount of 1014 cm². First instar larvae did not survive long following consumption of small amount of white poplar and pear leaves. Age specific survival and longevity were significantly different on apple and black poplar compared with oak in laboratory conditions. No significant differences were found between age specific longevity of gypsy moth on apple and black poplar under the experimental conditions. Host preference for apple and black poplar was distinctly higher than oak. The average weight of female pupae developed on apple, black poplar and oak were 1440, 1320 and 1100 mg respectively and as fertility rate of female moth is directly related to the weight of female insects, fertility rate of adult moth developed on apple with the average female weight of 1440 mg and 3.19 was higher than the moth developed on black poplar and oak with the fertility index of 2.59 and 2.41 respectively. The results indicate the presence of feeding deterrents in white poplar and pear.

Keywords: Lymantria dispar, food resources, physiological characteristics, laboratory condition, Yasooj, Iran.