Oviposition of Beet Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Greenhouse Crops

Abstract

Distribution of beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), egg batches was similar in chrysanthemum, tomato, gerbera, and geranium crops grown in a greenhouse. Most eggs were laid on the underside of foliage on leaves within 10 cm of the soil surface. In chrysanthemum, moths deposited more eggs on younger than on older plants. No correlation was found between size of egg batches and plant species, plant age, or position within a crop.