Ovipositional Preference of Heliothis zea (Hubn.) on Glabrous and Dense Soybean Genotypes

Abstract

Isogenic lines of Clark and Harosoy soybean varieties of differing pubescent types glabrous and dense, were utilized in studies to determine whether significant quantitative differences could be shown in ovipositional preference characteristics by the corn ear worm, Heliothis zea (Hubn). The results of the study revealed that irrespective of the variety and pubescent type, the upper region of the soybean plant was the most preferred area for oviposition. Leaf surface received about seven times more eggs than the rest of the plant. Clark variety received significantly more eggs than Harosoy independent of the pubescent type.