Host Plant Preference, Consumption, Growth, Development, and Survival of Tyta luctuosa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Biotypes of Field Bindweed and Hedge Bindweed

Abstract

Larval feeding preference, consumption, and development were assessed for the imported noctuid moth Tyta luctuosa (Denis & Schiffermuller) on 4 biotypes of field bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis L., and on hedge bindweed, Calystegia sepium L. No preference, either innate or induced, was observed in 4th and 5th instars for any of the plant types tested. The food source of early instars did not significantly affect later instar development. Food plant type also did not significantly affect maximum larval weight or survival of 1st-5th instars. However, prepupal survival was significantly greater on field bindweed biotype 1. Development from the 4th instar to the prepupa was slower on hedge bindweed than on any of the field bindweed biotypes. Delayed development on hedge bindweed may be related to its higher wet/dry weight ratio. Our findings suggest that T. luctuosa may feed nonselectively on mixed biotypes of bindweed in the field. They also indicate that these biotypes would be generally, but not uniformly, suitable for the development and survival of T. luctuosa.