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Life History and Some Factors Affecting the Population of Arzama densa1 in Louisiana2

1969; Oxford University Press; Volume: 62; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/aesa/62.4.749

1938-2901

Everardo Vogel, A. D. Oliver,

Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies

A noctuid moth, Arzama densa Walker, occurs commonly in southern Louisiana where its larva feeds on water hyacinth, Eichornia crassipes Solms., and pickerelweed, Pontederia cordata L. It has at least 2 generations each year in this area. An average of 66.5 days is required for development of 1 generation under controlled laboratory conditions of 21 °C and 14-hr photoperiod. Each female moth lays an average of 328 eggs in masses of 30–40 eggs. An average of 8.25% of the eggs are infertile. The incubation period is about 6 days. There are 6 or 7 larval stages in the life cycle. The larvae have large dorsocaudal spiracles in the 8th segment which enable them to feed below the water line. Some 6th instars undergo diapause which lasts from 25 to 120 days during fall and winter. Parasites and predators of eggs, larvae, and pupae significantly reduce field populations of the moth.