The aim of this work was to compare the development of the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, fed with leaves from six soybean cultivars (Bossier, Planalto, Prata, Santa Rosa, UFV-1 and Viçoja) and two larval densities (1 and 5 individuals per recipient), under laboratory conditions. The cultivar effect on insect development was not significant because of the variability of the biological parameters studied. A lower heterogeneity on insect developmental stages was observed when larvae were reared individually, showing that this procedure is more appropriate than the use of 5 individuals per recipient.
Insecta; velvetbean caterpillar; plant resistance; biology; population density
