EFFECTS OF COLORATION ON PARASITISM, PREDATION, AND FIELD SURVIVORSHIP OF THE TOBACCO HORNWORM, MANDUCA-SEXTA (L)

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of pigmentation on the field survivorship of larvae of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (L .). Larvae of the white-mutant tobacco hornworm were found to have a l ower mean survival rate as compared with black-mutant and wild-type st rains. Tests in the greenhouse demonstrated the larvae of the white-mu tant were able to establish on the tobacco plants as well as the black -mutant and wild-type strains. Differential predation seems to be an i mportant factor in the low recovery of the white tobacco hornworm in t he field. Parasitism rates by Cotesia congregata (Say) were low for al l three strains.