Integration of Host Plant Resistance and Bacillus thuringiensis Insecticides in the Management of Lepidopterous Pests of Celery

Abstract

J. Econ. Entomol. 88(6) : 1787-1794 (1995) Experiments were conducted to assess the combined effects of host plant resistance in Apium graveolens and Bacillus thuringiensis insecticides on damage caused by the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), and the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), under field conditions. The celeriac, A. graveolens variety rapaceum, cultivar 'PI 357333' had significantly less feeding damage than another celeriac, cultivar, 'PI 223333'. Celeriac cultivars had fewer petioles with lepidopteran feeding damage compared with celery, A. graveolens variety dulce, cultivars. When B. thuringiensis treatments significantly reduced feeding damage, the combined effect of host plant resistance and B. thuringiensis was additive, suggesting that these are compatible pest management tactics.