Effects of Population Density on Prodenia litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

In comparison with solitary individuals reared in isolation, larvae reared under crowded conditions had a shorter larval period, developed darker coloration, and gave rise to smaller pupae in which dry-matter, fat, and water contents all were reduced. Similarly, the adults emerging from these pupae weighed less than those developing from isolated larvae. Their body length, fore wing, and hind femur were smaller, their costa/femur ratio larger, their pupal and adult periods were prolonged, and their females laid larger numbers of eggs.