Hilgardia
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University of California
Hilgardia

Natural enemies of cabbage looper on cotton in the San Joaquin Valley

Author

L. E. Ehler

Author Affiliations

L. E. Ehler was Assistant Professor of Entomology and Assistant Entomologist in the Experiment Station, Davis.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 45(3):73-106. DOI:10.3733/hilg.v45n03p073. May 1977.

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Abstract

The roles of predators, parasitoids, and a pathogen in effecting natural biological control of cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni [Hübner]) in San Joaquin Valley cotton were assessed. Life-table analysis indicates that the majority of the generation mortality of cabbage looper occurs during the egg-small larva interval. Observations and experimental evidence strongly indicate that most of this mortality is inflicted by a complex of general predators, primarily adults and nymphs of Geocoris pallens Stal, Nabis americoferus Carayon, Orius tristicolor (White), and possibly larvae of Chrysopa carnea Stephens. These studies, plus evidence from the literature, indicate that the potential for biological control in annual-crop systems is greater than some workers had previously believed, and that the necessity of using only host-specific natural enemies in biological control is a questionable assumption.

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