LEARNING IN HOST SELECTION IN HELICOVERPA-ARMIGERA (HUBNER) (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE)

The effect of experience on pre-and post-alighting host selection in a dult female Helicoverpa armigera was tested in an indoor flight cage, and in a large greenhouse. The moths had experienced either tobacco or tomato plants (both are hosts of H. armigera) for 3 days, or were giv en no experience. Individuals were then released and their host select ion assessed. All individuals caught in the greenhouse were identified and tested for post-alighting acceptance on each host. Experience sig nificantly influenced both pre-and post-alighting host selection in ov ipositing moths. This modification in behaviour is attributed to 'lear ning', and presents the first detailed evidence for learning in moths. Possible behavioural mechanisms involved are discussed, and a hypothe sis is presented regarding learning in post-alighting host acceptance. The existence of learning in H. armigera, a highly polyphagous agricu ltural pest, is discussed in the light of current theories on environm ental predictability and the advantages of learning. (C) 1998 The Asso ciation for the Study of Animal Behaviour.