INFLUENCE OF LARVAL CROWDING AND MATING ON LIFE-SPAN AND FECUNDITY OFMAMESTRA-BRASSICAE (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE)

Lifespan, preoviposition and oviposition periods of Mamestra brassicae were unaffected by larval rearing densities and the group effect. Fec undity of both mated and unmated females was correlated significantly with pupal weight. Weight-related fecundity was not influenced by larv al phase variation. Mated females lived, on average, 2 days longer and had 2.2-3.8 times greater potential fecundity than unmated females. P ositive fecundity/oviposition period and fecundity/lifespan relationsh ips existed in mated and unmated females, respectively.