Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larval Development on Wild and Cultivated Plants

Abstract

Twenty-one plant families (44 species) were tested as suitable hosts for development of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner). Of these, 32 species supported development from fourth instar to adult. However, complete development (first instar to adult) occurred in only 15 species. Development from first or fourth instar to adult occurred on 20 hosts not previously reported; thus indicating survival on substitute hosts which could take place in the loss of their preferred cultivated hosts or if these host plants became undesirable.