Influence of Pink Bollworm, Pectinophora Gossypiella, (Saunders) (Lepidoptera : Gelechiidae), Female Age on Oviposition Capacity and Egg Hatchability

Abstract

Oviposition capability and e 4: hatchability of three laboratory reared strains of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossvpiella, (Saunders) were evaluated to determine the effect of age on the female reproductive capacity. From comparisons of various female ages in terms of the amount of eggs deposited and the level of ex hatchability, it was concluded that young females (3-6 days old) had the highest potential for oviposition and that their eggs had the highest percentages of hatchability.