title: Host Selection, Growth, and Survival of Melonworm (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Four Cucurbit Crops Under Laboratory Conditions.
abstract: The melonworm, Diaphania hyalinata L. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is one of the most serious insect problems affecting cucurbit production. We evaluated the relative preference and suitability of yellow squash, zucchini, cucumber, and watermelon to melonworm by measuring its oviposition, larval feeding preference, survivorship, and developmental responses in the laboratory. Whole plants were used for oviposition study, whereas host leaf discs were used for all the other studies. Watermelon feeding resulted in the longest larval development period (14.3 d), greatest prepupal weights and survivals rates (92%; first instar to adult) among the four crops. However, for watermelon, adult oviposition preference (199.5 eggs/♀), egg survival (70%), and larval feeding (4.1% defoliation) were numerically or statistically lowest, and larval head capsule widths and whole-body lengths were smallest. When differences occurred among these variables, yellow squash, zucchini, and cucumber were each typically higher (or quicker to develop) than watermelon. So why do melonworm adults not prefer watermelon, or at least select it as frequently as squash and cucumber when ovipositing? The answer likely is that there might be some variation in the important chemical components among these cucurbits. We suggest that comparison of kairomones and allomones from watermelon and related cucurbits would be very useful for determining the combination resulting in the lowest risk of damage to the more susceptible cucurbits (assuming the levels can be modified without seriously affecting the crops).
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC), 18905 SW 280th St., Homestead, FL 33031 (panthibabu44@gmail.com; dseal3@ufl.edu; cliffgmartin@yahoo.com), panthibabu44@gmail.com.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Panthi
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC), 18905 SW 280th St., Homestead, FL 33031 (panthibabu44@gmail.com; dseal3@ufl.edu; cliffgmartin@yahoo.com).
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Seal
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Bldg. 970 Natural Area Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611 (capinera@ufl.edu), and.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Capinera
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, Everglades Research and Education Center, 3200 E Palm Beach Rd., Belle Glade, FL 33430 (gnuessly@ufl.edu).
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Nuessly
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC), 18905 SW 280th St., Homestead, FL 33031 (panthibabu44@gmail.com; dseal3@ufl.edu; cliffgmartin@yahoo.com).
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D029773:Citrullus / Q000254:growth & development; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000254:growth & development; D018553:Cucumis sativus / Q000254:growth & development; D028464:Cucurbita / Q000254:growth & development; D020387:Food Chain; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D008136:Longevity; D009036:Moths / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D010058:Oviposition
keywords: Citrullus; Cucumis; Cucurbita; Diaphania hyalinata; host plant