THE PINK BOLLWORM OF COTTON IN PORTO RICO

The introduction, spread and present status of the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders, in Porto Rico are described. In order to understand the somewhat unusual conditions under which the insect is working in the Island the essential climatic and topographic features and the development of Sea Island cotton growing in Porto Rico are briefly outlined. Attempts at control are discussed together with the relation of alternate host plants as a factor in carry-over of the insect from one crop to another.

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Effect of host plants on the oviposition preference of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Animal Biology ◽

10.1163/15707563-bja10064 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

T.N. Madhu ◽

K. Murali Mohan

Keyword(s):

Host Plants ◽

Oviposition Preference ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Pink Bollworm ◽

Point Of View ◽

Pectinophora Gossypiella ◽

Choice Test ◽

Egg Load ◽

Bt Cotton ◽

Cotton Plants

Abstract Pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders, 1843)) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an important pest of cotton. We aimed to study the effect of different host plants on the oviposition preference of pink bollworm under laboratory conditions. Cotton (Bt and non-Bt), okra and hibiscus plants were used, which vary in morphological characteristics. Significant differences were observed in the density of trichomes and it is positively correlated with oviposition behaviour of pink bollworm. In a no-choice test, we recorded a higher number of eggs on Bt and non-Bt cotton plants. In two-, three- and four-choice experiments, pink bollworm preferred to deposit the maximum number of eggs on non-Bt cotton among other host plants. A substantially higher number of eggs were laid on Bt cotton in combinations with okra and hibiscus and a considerably lower number on non-Bt cotton. We recorded fewer numbers of eggs on hibiscus in all combinations. Overall, pink bollworm moths showed greater affinity towards non-Bt cotton plants and deposited the maximum number of eggs there. From the practical point of view, the development of cotton genotypes which are devoid or have a lesser density of trichomes may be a possible solution to reduce the pink bollworm egg load on cotton.

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Demographic and morphometric features of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunder) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on four host plants

International Journal of Tropical Insect Science ◽

10.1007/s42690-020-00185-w ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Muhammad Naeem Mushtaq ◽

Muhammad Arshad ◽

Shahid Majeed ◽

Sajid Aleem Khan

Keyword(s):

Host Plants ◽

Pink Bollworm ◽

Pectinophora Gossypiella ◽

Morphometric Features

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ALTERNATE HOST PLANTS OF THE PINK BOLLWORM, PECTINOPHORA GOSSYPIELLA (SAUND.), IN PUERTO RICO

The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico ◽

10.46429/jaupr.v22i4.12922 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 483-492

Author(s):

L. Courtney Fife

Keyword(s):

Puerto Rico ◽

Plant Species ◽

Food Supply ◽

Host Plants ◽

Pink Bollworm ◽

Cotton Production ◽

San Jose ◽

Alternate Host ◽

Thespesia Populnea ◽

Important Host

The seed pods of three malvaceous plants, Montezuma speciosissima (maga), Thespesia populnea (emajagüilla), and Abelmoschus esculentus (okra, or guingambó) were found to be important host plants of the pink bollworm in that they provide a continuous food supply for breeding during the dead season of cotton production. Several other plant species were attacked, namely. Abeloschus abelmoschus (algalia), Hibiscus sabidariffa (vina), Hibiscus trilobus, Hibiscus bifurcatus (buenas tardes), Abutilon hirtum (buenos días), and Althaea rosea (hollyhock, or varilla de San José). None of these species, however, is sufficiently numerous to be of any importance.

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