Alternative hosts can affect the development, reproduction, and demographic parameters of Chrysodeixis includens

Abstract

Characteristics of preferred or alternative host plants can impact the population dynamics of polyphagous insects. Chrysodeixis includens has become an important pest in economically important crops such as sunflower, cotton, soybean, and beans. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of basil cultivars Ocimum basilicum (alternative host) on C. includens. For this, larvae were fed daily with bean leaves (preferred host-control) and five basil cultivars (Maria Bonita, Mr. Burns, Italian Large Leaf, Vermelho Rubi, and Cinnamon). Subsequently, development, survival, pupae body mass, reproductive parameters, and life table parameters of insects were evaluated. The populations of C. includens fed with leaves of the Italian Large Leaf cultivar showed similar performance to the preferential host (beans). The other host plants prolonged the duration of the larval stage and negatively affected the reproductive and demographic parameters of C. includens. Mr. Burns negatively affected the development and reduced the reproductive potential of the insect. The cultivars Maria Bonita, Vermelho Rubi, and Cinnamon had a negative effect on the development and reproductive potential of this insect. The results indicate that basil cultivars have a negative effect on the development, longevity, and reproduction of C. includens. The use of basil host plants may be a safe alternative to be used concomitantly with other strategies for the management of C. includens.

Graphical abstract