Developmental Consequences of Cannibalism in Heliothis zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract
Heliothis zea (Boddie) larvae reared on low-moisture diet medium had longer development time and lower pupal weight than larvae reared on standard corn/soybean artificial diet. Larvae given conspecific prey in addition to the low-moisture diet medium had significantly shorter development time, greater survivorship, and greater pupal weight than larvae on a low-moisture diet but not given conspecific prey. On a standard artificial diet there were no significant differences between cannibals and noncannibals. These results indicate a nutritional benefit of cannibalism under less than optimal (low moisture) conditions that is not found under better conditions.

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