Effect of Density and Plant Age on Color Phase Variation and Development of Larval Velvetbean Caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

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Abstract
Velvetbean caterpillars, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, were reared at different densities on ‘Davis’ soybean. The degree of dark pigmentation was found to be density dependent under field and laboratory conditions. No significant effect on the degree of dark pigmentation was observed when the soybean plant, ages R2–R4, R4–R6, and R6–R7, were tested under laboratory conditions. Larval development was delayed and 1-day-old adult weight decreased as the population density and plant age increased. The highest degree of dark pigmentation was expressed in the last instar when larvae were crowded throughout development.