Sugar Feeding of the Adult Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Laboratory

Feeding behavior of the corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie). was studied by administering known quantities of sugar solutions (0. 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50%) to restrained, unmated moths. Feeding rates decreased over time, within a feeding bout (for concentrations ≤12.5%) and from day to day. The rate of volume intake reached a maximum at 12.5%. although the rate of sucrose intake peaked at 50%. The kind of sugar (sucrose. fructose, or glucose) did not significantly affect feeding rate. At concentrations of 12.5 to 50%. Moths ingested more solution on the first day after emergence than on subsequent days; distilled water was taken only in minute quantities on the first day. A curvilinear relationship existed between sucrose intake and both fecundity and longevity. Sugar type did not significantly affect fecundity or longevity.