Effect of Larval Density and Plant Age on Size and Biochemical Composition of Adult Migrant Moths, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Wet, dry, lipid, and protein weights of adult velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner, decreased with increases in larval pigmentation, larval density, and plant age. Larval pigmentation and larval density did not affect the relative content (dry weight percent) of carbohydrate, lipid, or protein in adults. Plant age did not affect the relative content (dry weight percent) of carbohydrate and lipid in adults, but relative protein content declined significantly when larvae were fed physiologically mature soybean leaves. The observed linear relationships between the dry and wet weights and between the protein weight or lipid content and dry weight reflect the size-dependent nature of nutrient accumulation by the larvae.