Kairomones and their use for management of entomophagous insects VIII. Effect of diet on the kairomonal activity of frass fromHeliothis zea (Boddie) larvae forMicroplitis croceipes (Cresson)

Heliothis zea (Boddie) larvae were reared on fresh plant material (cowpea cotyledons) or on an artificial laboratory diet. Effect of these two diets on the kairomonal activity of the frass and cuticle from the larvae, as well as the kairomonal activity of the diets themselves, forMicroplitis croceipes (Cresson) was determined. Diet was found to significantly affect the kairomonal activity of the frass although the diets themselves were not active.Lepidoptera: Noctuidae.Hymenoptera: Braconidae.Part of the work reported here was done as a high school science project. This project was awarded the Grand Award in Life Sciences at the 29th and 30th Georgia Science and Engineering Fair, April 1977 and 1978, respectively; the Fourth Place Award in Zoology at the International Science and Engineering Fair held in Cleveland, Ohio, May 1977; the Second Place Award in Zoology at the International Science and Engineering Fair held in Anaheim, California, May 1978; and received other special awards.In cooperation with the University of Georgia College of Agriculture Experiment Stations, Coastal Plain Station, Tifton, Georgia 31794.Mention of a commercial or proprietary product in this paper does not constitute endorsement by the USDA.