INFLUENCE OF SNAP BEAN PHENOLOGY ON HELIOTHIS ZEA (BODDIE) (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) OVIPOSITION

In greenhouse preference tests Heliothis zea (Boddie) moths oviposited significantly more eggs on blooming snap bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., than on pre-blooming plants. When moths were held in cages containing only 1 plant stage (non-preference tests) significantly more eggs were laid on blooming snap beans than on either pre- or post-bloom plants. Furthermore, this ovipositional response to blooming plants was much more striking after moths were caged for 3 nights. During nights 4–6, oviposition continued at a similar rate on blooming plants, while pre- and post-bloom plants received very few eggs. Regardless of plant stage, most eggs were laid on the top and bottom of large snap bean leaves.