Variegated Cutworm: Leaf Consumption and Economic Loss in Peppermint12

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Abstract
Mean total consumption of peppermint foliage for Peridroma saucia (Hubner) instars 3-6 was 2.3± 1.2, 7.2± 2.5, 31.5± 5.0, and 133.6± 25.4 cm2, respectively. Total consumption of 174.4 cm2 was equivalent to 26.7 peppermint leaves. Instars 5–6 consumed 94.5% of the total foliage consumed during development of instars 3–6 (25.3 leaves). Mean number of days for development of instars 3–6 was 3.2±0.4, 3.9±0.4, 4.8±0.9, and 10.0±2.0, respectively. Peppermint plant samples (1000 cm2 soil surface area) were used to estimate mean leaf size (6.5± 1.4 cm2), total leaf area/1000cm2 (6247± 1105 cm2, and mean oil yield/1000cm2 (0.8±0.1 ml). It was estimated that 0.9 5th and 6th instars /1000 cm2 would cause 2.4% defoliation which was equivalent to the economic injury level for variegated cutworm on peppermint based on an oil value of $dollar;22/kg and a total cost of insecticide treatment of $dollar;45/ha.

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