Oviposition Preferences of Black Cutworm Moths Among Various Crop Plants, Weeds, and Plant Debris12

Abstract

Investigations were conducted to examine the oviposition preferences of Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel). Fourteen crop and weed species plus plant debris were tested for oviposition preferences to laboratory reared black cutworm moths. Curled dock and yellow rocket mustard were found to be most attractive. Corn and soybeans were among the least attractive of the plants tested. Attractiveness of preferred species appeared to be due to their low dense growth form.