Effects of different host-plant species on growth, development and feeding of the bud borer, Epinotia aporema (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in La Plata, Argentina Efectos de diferentes especies de plantas hospederas en el crecimiento, desarrollo y alimentaci6n del barrenador del brote, Epinotia aporema (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) en La Plata, Argentina

The oligophagous bud borer, Epinotia aporema (Walsingham) feeds on the Leguminoseae and is a major soybean pest in South America. The effects of different legumes (broad-bean, common bean, lupine, soybean and white sweetclover) on the developmental time, pupal weight, and nutritional indices for last instar larvae of E. aporema were analyzed in the laboratory. Nutritional indices include: relative consumption rates on dry and fresh weight basis, relative growth rate, gross and net efficiencies of conversion of food into biomass, and approximate digestibility. The relationships between leaf water content of the host plants and, consumption rate and net efficiency of conversion were examined. Epinotia aporema performed better when fed legume plants other than soybean. Those reared on broad-bean and common bean reached a higher efficiency of conversion and a higher pupal weight, consuming at a lower rate, compared with larvae fed soybean. Soybean and white sweet-clover, with a low water content, could be considered sub-optimal host-plants: E. aporema consumed them at a higher rate, both on dry and fresh weight. Results suggest that trap crop techniques using more suitable host plants than soybean should be considered for the management of this pest in soybean agroecosystems.