Distribution of Tobacco Budworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae Within Cotton Plants

1984 
Distribution of tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.) larvae within cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., plants was studied from mid-June through August (weeks 8–18 of the growing season) in a natural population. Most 1st instars (75%) were observed on the upper third of the plant. Second instars were observed in the upper third of the plant except in weeks 14 to 18. Instars 3 to 6 moved throughout the plant. All larval stages were found in higher numbers on structures that arise from position 1 from the main stem. First instars were found on small squares, except in weeks 15 and 16, when more larvae were on small bolls than squares, and in weeks 8, 9, and 18 when they were on meristems or leaves. Second and 3rd instars fed on squares in early season and on bolls in late season. However, 2nd instars in weeks 8 and 9 were found on meristems or leaves. Most of the 4th, 5th, and 6th instars were found on small and medium bolls.
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