Use of Plant Parts as Food by Larvae of the Corn Earworm and Fall Armyworm1

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Abstract
The extent of plant damage caused by insect feeding in relation to the ability of insects to use their food source has generally been overlooked in studies of host-plant resistance. Until recently, use of food sources by insects has been difficult to determine, mainly because of the laborious techniques required. McGinnis and Kasting (1964) were the first to apply to insects the technique, described earlier by Bergeim (1926), of using chromic oxide as an indicator of food use by animals. The method is reliable, relatively simple, quick, and requires a minimum of insects; also, quantitative measurements of consumption and excretion arc not needed. The research reported here was performed to obtain a better understanding of the efficiency with which insects utilize principal host plants and alternate hosts.

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