Comparative Development and Reproduction of Pink Bollworm on Upland and Pima Cotton Cultivars

Abstract

Development and reproduction of pink bollworm were studied in relation to four cotton cultivars. Larval developmental times were shortest on pima cotton and longest on a resistant okra-leaf variety (WC-12NL). Prepupal and pupal developmental times were generally unaffected by cultivar. Larval establishment and survival did not differ significantly among cultivars. Female moths laid fewer eggs on pima bolls early in the season and fewer eggs on the okra-leaf cultivar on a season -long basis in comparison with two conventional upland cultivars. Fecundity of adults from the four cultivars varied little but was generally highest in adults from larvae reared on pima cotton. Results have implications for predicting pink bollworm phenology and population development in different cultivars.