The biology and feeding preference of the kale leafworm, Ascia monuste orseis (Latreille) on the weed Raphanus raphanistrum Godart was studied. Eggs were collected on plants at the farm of the Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), PR, Brazil. Neonate caterpillars were individualized and were daily fed on leaves of R. raphanistrum; instar duration and mortality were recorded. Mean duration of the larval stage was 12.9 (± 0.08) days and mortality was 42.0%. Mean duration of the pupal stage was 6.7 (± 0.13) days, and mortality was 38.4%. A. monuste orseis prefered feeding on leaves of R. raphanistrum, than leaves of kale Brassica oleracea var. acephala.
Insecta; insect-plant interation; kale leafworm
