LEAF TRICHOMES, FOOD QUALITY, FEEDING EFFICIENCY AND GROWTH-RATE OF LOPHOCERAMICA-PYRRHA (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE)

Feeding and growth of larvae of Lophoceramica pyrrha (Druce) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) fed on diets of two types of leaves of Wigandia urens (Ruiz & Pavon) HBK (Hydrophyllaceae) were evaluated. Eight standard parameters of the feeding biology and mean larval weight of the last two larval instars of L. pyrrha were compared. Relative biomass consumption was higher for larvae fed smooth leaves than those fed bristly leaves. However, the relative nitrogen accumulation rate for larvae fed smooth leaves was as high as for larvae fed bristly leaves. Although leaf trichomes have been claimed to be an effective defensive mechanism against herbivores, leaf trichomes of W. urens did not affect the feeding behavior and growth of L. pyrrha larvae.