Physiological and biochemical distinctions between solitary and gregarious caterpillars of the meadow moth Loxostege sticticalis L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Density-dependent prophylaxis in crowded Beet Webworm,Loxostege sticticalis(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae to a parasitoid and a fungal pathogen

“…The Beet Webworm, Loxostege sticticalis L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is an important migratory pest (Luo et al 1996;Luo 2004) that exhibits densitydependent phase polymorphism (Knorr et al 2000). Larval colour forms, survival rates, detoxifying enzymatic activity and dopamine levels in haemolymph, diapause incidence, pupal weights, reproductive potential and flight potential in adults are affected by larval density (Alekseev et al 1998;Knorr et al 1993Knorr et al , 2000Alekseev et al 2008;Kong et al 2010Kong et al , 2011. Alekseev et al (2008) reported that larval haemocyte encapsulation varied among different larval densities.…”

“…Larval colour forms, survival rates, detoxifying enzymatic activity and dopamine levels in haemolymph, diapause incidence, pupal weights, reproductive potential and flight potential in adults are affected by larval density (Alekseev et al 1998;Knorr et al 1993Knorr et al , 2000Alekseev et al 2008;Kong et al 2010Kong et al , 2011. Alekseev et al (2008) reported that larval haemocyte encapsulation varied among different larval densities. Therefore, we hypothesized that L. sticticalis larvae reared at different densities may exhibit differential resistance to natural enemies.…”