双丙环虫酯对多异瓢虫生命参数、捕食功能与飞行能力的影响

为明确新型生物源杀虫剂双丙环虫酯对新疆维吾尔自治区（简称新疆）农田优势捕食性天敌多异瓢虫Hippodamia variegata的安全性,以前期室内毒力测定的双丙环虫酯对棉蚜Aphis gossypii的LC₅₀、LC₂₀和LC₁₀为药剂处理浓度,以清水为对照,于室内测定不同浓度双丙环虫酯处理后多异瓢虫成虫繁殖力、子代生长发育、捕食功能和飞行能力。结果表明,3个浓度双丙环虫酯处理后多异瓢虫成虫繁殖力及其卵孵化率与清水（对照）均无显著差异;LC₅₀处理后多异瓢虫F₁代1龄幼虫存活率显著低于LC₁₀、LC₂₀处理和清水（对照）,多异瓢虫2~4龄幼虫的存活率在不同处理之间均无显著差异。多异瓢虫F₁代1龄幼虫发育历期随药剂处理浓度增大而显著延长;药剂处理对幼虫发育历期的影响随龄期逐渐减弱,至4龄幼虫时影响均不显著,但幼虫总发育历期及卵-蛹总发育历期均随药剂处理浓度增大而显著延长。各药剂处理后多异瓢虫F₁代蛹发育历期、蛹重和成虫羽化率均与清水（对照）无显著差异。双丙环虫酯处理后多异瓢虫对棉蚜的捕食功能反应均符合Holling Ⅱ模型,日捕食量均随棉蚜密度增加而增加,3龄幼虫捕食能力低于雌、雄成虫。当棉蚜密度为50头/皿时,清水（对照）、LC₂₀和LC₅₀处理后多异瓢虫3龄幼虫的日捕食量均显著高于LC₁₀处理,其他棉蚜密度下不同处理后3龄幼虫日捕食量之间差异不显著;相同棉蚜密度下,不同处理后多异瓢虫2日龄雌成虫日捕食量之间均无显著差异;当棉蚜密度为100头/皿时,清水（对照）、LC₁₀和LC₅₀处理后雄成虫日捕食量显著高于LC₂₀处理;其他棉蚜密度下,不同处理后雄成虫日捕食量之间均无显著差异。不同浓度双丙环虫酯处理后多异瓢虫2日龄雌、雄成虫在室内飞行磨上的飞行速度、飞行时间及飞行距离之间均无显著差异;相同处理后雌、雄成虫的飞行距离之间差异也不显著。与当前生产上防治蚜虫的当家杀虫剂相比,双丙环虫酯对多异瓢虫的生态安全性较高,可用于新疆农作物蚜虫类害虫的绿色防控。     

1-脱氧野尻霉素对美国白蛾生长发育和解毒酶活性的影响

为揭示美国白蛾Hyphantria cunea对含1-脱氧野尻霉素（1-deoxynojirimycin,DNJ）寄主植物的适应机制,用含不同浓度DNJ的人工饲料饲喂美国白蛾幼虫,测定饲喂后美国白蛾幼虫的死亡率、生长发育指标、营养效应指标和体内解毒酶活性。结果表明,浓度0.125%~2.000% DNJ处理6 d后,美国白蛾5龄幼虫死亡率显著高于对照,最高达52.50%。DNJ对美国白蛾的亚致死浓度LC₂₅和半致死浓度LC₅₀分别为0.41%和1.80%。0.5% DNJ处理后美国白蛾幼虫总发育历期延长20.75%,幼虫总存活率、化蛹率、雄雌比和单雌产卵量均显著低于对照。浓度0.125%~2.000% DNJ处理后美国白蛾幼虫相对取食量较对照显著升高,而食物转化率、食物利用率和相对生长率却低于对照,且随着DNJ浓度升高均逐渐降低。DNJ能诱导美国白蛾5龄幼虫中肠内细胞色素P450酶、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶、ATP结合盒转运蛋白3种解毒酶的活性,但每种酶的诱导模式不同。表明美国白蛾幼虫可能通过调节食物利用策略和激活解毒代谢等途径对一定浓度的DNJ产生生理适应。     

亚致死剂量双氧威和虫酰肼对亚洲玉米螟幼虫生长发育的影响

测定亚致死剂量昆虫生长调节剂双氧威和虫酰肼对亚洲玉米螟5龄幼虫发育历期、化蛹率、体重、脂质含量及血清中糖和蛋白含量的影响。结果表明:双氧威LC₃₀、LC₂₀、LC₁₀依次为22.23、14.75、4.37μg/mL,虫酰肼LC₃₀、LC₂₀、LC₁₀依次为48.20、37.11、21.73μg/mL。LC₃₀亚致死剂量双氧威处理可使5龄幼虫的发育历期延长至8.33±0.69天,而虫酰肼处理则使其缩短至5.49±0.66天。亚致死剂量双氧威和虫酰肼处理均使幼虫体重及化蛹率明显降低(P<0.01),其体内脂质含量和血清中糖和蛋白含量也低于对照组(P<0.01),同时5龄幼虫血清中储存蛋白的合成受到抑制。     

吡虫啉亚致死剂量处理对桃蚜乙酰胆碱酯酶的时间与剂量效应

采用微量滴度酶标板法测定了吡虫啉亚致死剂量对桃蚜乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)的影响。结果表明,用不同亚致死剂量吡虫啉处理桃蚜后AChE的活力明显降低,表现为抑制作用,且不同剂量间AChE的活力差异显著;酶动力学分析表明,AChE的K_m值显著降低,而V_max显著升高,表明吡虫啉亚致死剂量处理桃蚜后AChE与底物的亲和力明显增强,且最大反应速度显著加快。用LC₁₀的吡虫啉处理桃蚜后AChE的活力随时间的延长而变化,且表现为明显的抑制作用;AChE的K_m随时间的变化表现为先升高后降低的趋势,但V_max均升高。此外研究了LC₁₀的吡虫啉处理桃蚜后AChE在不同亚细胞层的分布特征,结果表明,AChE比活力的高低次序依次为:微粒体>细胞核与细胞碎片>线粒体>细胞质液;吡虫啉亚致死剂量处理后虽然没有影响AChE在亚细胞中的分布,但是却改变了对底物的亲和力和最大反应速度。     

联苯肼酯亚致死质量浓度对二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae解毒酶系的影响

为明确联苯肼酯对二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae体内解毒酶系的影响,采用叶片浸渍法测定联苯肼酯对二斑叶螨的亚致死质量浓度LC₁₀和LC₃₀,用这2种浓度分别处理二斑叶螨,并测定60 h内二斑叶螨体内谷胱甘肽S-转移酶（glutathione S-transferase,GST）、羧酸酯酶（carboxylesterase,CarE）和多功能氧化酶（multifunctional oxidase,MFO）的比活力,以及米氏常数K_m及最大反应速率v_max的变化。结果显示,经LC₁₀和LC₃₀剂量处理二斑叶螨后,其体内CarE、GST和MFO的活性在6~60 h均受到明显诱导。其中,GST和MFO的比活力在12 h最大,分别为对照的1.25倍、1.60倍和1.63倍、1.84倍,CarE的比活力在48 h最大,为对照的1.27倍和1.37倍;与对照组相比,CarE的K_m显著减小,v_max显著升高,而GST和MFO的K_m显著增大,v_max显著减小。表明3种酶均参与了二斑叶螨对联苯肼酯的解毒代谢,其中CarE与底物的亲和力最大,反应速率最快,其对联苯肼酯的解毒代谢起主导作用。     

四种低毒杀虫剂对小菜蛾生长发育及繁殖的亚致死效应

为系统评价4种低毒杀虫剂对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella（L.）的综合控制作用,采用叶片浸渍法处理小菜蛾3龄幼虫,测定了虫酰肼、氟啶脲、茚虫威和虫螨腈的亚致死浓度（LC₂₅）对小菜蛾生长发育和繁殖力的影响。结果表明,4 种药剂亚致死浓度处理使小菜蛾3~4龄幼虫发育历期延长0.43~1.93 d,平均单头雌、雄蛹重分别减轻0.83~1.31 mg和0.19~1.09 mg ,幼虫的化蛹率及羽化率则分别降低11.2%~34.3%和21.7%~33.6%,以氟啶脲和茚虫威处理的影响较为显著。药剂处理后成虫平均产卵量减少30.15~60.21粒/雌,卵孵化率降低8.85%~19.65%,以虫酰肼效果较为明显;虫酰肼、氟啶脲、茚虫威均显著降低小菜蛾的交配成功率。     

新烟碱类等杀虫剂对葱蝇的毒力及其对生长发育和繁殖的影响

采用定量滴加法和浸渍法测定了8种药剂对葱蝇1龄和3龄幼虫的毒力,用噻虫胺和噻虫嗪等新烟碱类杀虫剂的亚致死浓度分别处理葱蝇1龄和3龄幼虫,观察其对葱蝇生长发育和繁殖的影响,并进行了田间药效试验。结果表明,噻虫胺和噻虫嗪对3龄幼虫48 h的LC₅₀分别为14.7839 mg/L和13.3055 mg/L,毒力为毒死蜱的0.41倍和0.50倍。但LC_30-40剂量处理葱蝇3龄幼虫后,第6天存活幼虫体重分别较对照降低35.47%和36.34%,幼虫发育历期延长3.68天和3.98天,化蛹率降低71.91%和78.65%,雌蛹重降低13.36%和14.72%,雄蛹重降低15.97%和18.32%,羽化率降低12.50%和17.86%,单雌产卵量降低47.71%和51.68%。噻虫胺和噻虫嗪处理1龄幼虫,对其生长发育也有显著不利影响。田间药效试验结果显示,1 200 g/hm²噻虫胺和噻虫嗪处理后7天防效分别达98.16％和92.46％,表明这两种药剂对葱蝇防治效果高、推广应用价值大。     

棉铃虫对虫酰肼的抗药性汰选

以虫酰肼25～80μg/mL汰选棉铃虫种群26代,用两种生物测定方法对汰选后的棉铃虫种群测定其抗药性。以浸叶法测定的LC₅₀值汰选前为33.816 8μg/mL,汰选24代后达到914.181 3μg/mL,抗性指数为27.03倍,与对照种群的LC₅₀102.427 4μg/mL比较,校正抗性指数为8.93倍;用饲料混合法测定的LC₅₀值汰选前为73.8416μg/mL,汰选24代后达到833.027 8μg/mL,抗性指数为11.26倍,与对照种群的LC₅₀105.889 9μg/mL比较,校正抗性指数为7.87倍,表明棉铃虫汰选种群对虫酰肼的抗性水平呈现上升趋势。     

朱红毛斑蛾虫生真菌球孢白僵菌PfBb菌株的分离鉴定及其毒力测定

为评价从朱红毛斑蛾Phauda flammans幼虫僵虫中分离的虫生真菌在害虫生物防治中的应用潜力,通过形态学鉴定及ITS基因序列分析对分离菌株进行鉴定,并运用时间-剂量-死亡率模型分析该分离菌株对朱红毛斑蛾1~6龄幼虫的毒力。结果显示,结合形态学特征和ITS基因序列分析将该虫生真菌鉴定为球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana,并将该菌株命名为PfBb。球孢白僵菌PfBb菌株可侵染朱红毛斑蛾1~6龄幼虫,随着该菌株孢子液浓度的增加,其对朱红毛斑蛾幼虫的毒力逐渐增强。PfBb菌株孢子液处理朱红毛斑蛾1~5龄幼虫6 d时的LC₅₀分别为2.61×10⁴、1.04×10⁵、1.11×10⁶、1.54×10⁶和1.44×10⁷ 个/mL,处理6龄幼虫8 d时的LC₅₀为1.02×10⁷ 个/mL。随着处理时间的增加,PfBb菌株对朱红毛斑蛾1~6龄幼虫的LC₅₀和LC₉₀随之降低,表明存在剂量效应。当处理浓度相同时,朱红毛斑蛾1~6龄幼虫的僵虫率随着虫龄的增加而降低,但在较高浓度1.0×10⁷~1.0×10⁹ 个/mL处理时,1~5龄幼虫的僵虫率无显著差异,说明1.0×10⁷个/mL球孢白僵菌PfBb菌株孢子液防治朱红毛斑蛾幼虫即可达到理想的防治效果。表明球孢白僵菌PfBb菌株对朱红毛斑蛾有较大的生防应用潜力。     

啶氧菌酯对意大利蜜蜂幼虫生长发育及免疫应答的影响

为探究啶氧菌酯对意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica幼虫生长发育和免疫应答的影响,使用田间推荐浓度（113、150、225和281 mg/L）的啶氧菌酯连续饲喂意大利蜜蜂工蜂幼虫,记录处理后工蜂幼虫的存活率、化蛹率、蛹重、羽化率和羽化初生重,并测量幼虫体内发育相关基因、营养相关基因及免疫相关基因表达情况。结果显示,不同浓度啶氧菌酯对意大利蜜蜂工蜂幼虫存活率、蛹重和羽化初生重均有显著影响,且具有显著的浓度效应;150、225和281 mg/L啶氧菌酯处理后意大利蜜蜂工蜂幼虫的化蛹率和蛹的羽化率均较对照显著下降。不同浓度啶氧菌酯均可诱导幼虫体内蜕皮激素受体（ecdysone receptor,Ecr）基因、卵黄原蛋白（vitellogenin,Vg）基因、蜜蜂防卫素（defensin 1,Def1）基因和膜翅抗菌肽（hymenoptaecin,Hym）基因的表达量上调,且大部分与对照差异显著;不同浓度啶氧菌酯均可显著抑制幼虫体内胰岛素样肽（insulin-like peptide 1,ILP1）基因的表达量;281 mg/L啶氧菌酯分别显著抑制和显著增加幼虫体内蜜蜂抗菌肽（apidaecin,Api）基因和蜂蛾抗菌肽（abaecin,Aba）基因的表达量,225 mg/L和281 mg/L啶氧菌酯可诱导幼虫体内ILP2的表达量显著上调,显著抑制幼虫体内储存蛋白（hexamerin,Hex）基因Hex70b的表达量,其他浓度处理对幼虫体内Api、Aba、ILP2和Hex70b无显著影响。表明啶氧菌酯对意大利蜜蜂工蜂幼虫有慢性毒性,长时间暴露会扰乱幼虫的生长发育和免疫应答。在生产实践中应当考虑啶氧菌酯对意大利蜜蜂的潜在风险。     

甲氧虫酰肼对棉铃虫解毒酶活力的亚致死效应研究

采用亚致死剂量(LC40浓度)的甲氧虫酰肼处理棉铃虫抗甲氧虫酰肼种群(R)和同源敏感种群(S)3龄初幼虫48 h,测定了3～6龄期幼虫体内多功能氧化酶(MFO)、酯酶(EST)和谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)的比活力变化。结果发现:经亚致死剂量甲氧虫酰肼处理后,S种群EST比活力除4龄幼虫外均有所升高,且仅在3龄期升高明显;GSTs比活力在5龄幼虫体内显著升高,其他龄期无明显变化;MFO比活力在6龄幼虫体内表现为降低,其他龄期无显著变化。对于R种群,3龄和6龄幼虫体内EST比活力显著降低,各龄期的GSTs和MFO比活力均显著降低。空白对照R种群3～6龄期幼虫的GSTs比活力均高于S种群;EST比活力仅3龄幼虫显著高于S种群;MFO的比活力仅5龄幼虫显著高于S种群。研究表明:棉铃虫对甲氧虫酰肼的抗性与GSTs比活力增大关系较为密切;LC40浓度的甲氧虫酰肼可诱导敏感种群EST和GSTs活力升高,而使抗性种群3种酶的活力受到抑制。     

Reduced fitness associated with spinosad resistance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa armigera</Emphasis>

The fitness cost of spinosad resistance was investigated in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Laboratory experiments were conducted to compare relative fitness of H. armigera between the spinosad-susceptible and -resistant strains. During the experiments, the average development periods of the resistant strain were lengthened by 4–5 days, reflected in a prolongation of egg, larval and pupal periods. Furthermore, pupal survival, pupal weight, the mean life span of emerged adults, eggs laid and hatched decreased greatly in the resistant strain in comparison with the susceptible strain. Other life-cycle parameters such as larval survival, larval wet weights, prepupal periods, pupation ratio, and sex ratio did not change significantly. As a result, both net replacement rate (R ₀) and intrinsic rate of increase (r _m) were reduced for the resistant strain. Our results clearly indicated that relative fitness of resistant individuals was reduced in the absence of spinosad. Rational measures including pesticide rotations should be expected to delay development of resistance to spinosad in H. armigera field populations from China.     

Laboratory evaluation of the insect growth regulator lufenuron againstHelicoverpa armigera on cotton

An insect growth regulator (IGR), lufenuron (Match 5EC), was tested for its toxicity toHelicoverpa armigera on cotton. Potency of the IGR against the larval stage of the pest was demonstrated with respect to larval instars; the LC₉₀ values of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th instar larvae were 5.63, 7.89, 8.03, 11.39 and 14.76 mg a.i.l ⁻¹, respectively. However, different larval instars did not differ significantly with respect to LC₅₀ and LC₁₀. IGR-treated larvae had swollen heads and were significantly smaller (1.5–2.3 mm) than the untreated control (2.9 mm). Larval weight was significantly reduced from 190 mg in the control to 50–70 mg in the lufenuron treatment. IGR treatment in the larval stage significantly affected both pupal length and pupal weight. Pupal duration of the test insect was significantly extended by IGR treatment. Pupal deformities, including an inability to shed the last larval skin and formation of larval-pupal intermediates, occurred following treatment. A significant reduction in adult emergence was recorded. In addition, abnormalities in the form of development of cavities in the forewings of adult were evident. A significant decline in fecundity was noted in the studies. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Feb. 3, 2003.     

21种化学药剂对新疆棉田主要害虫毒力及对多异瓢虫的安全性

为明确现阶段棉田常用化学杀虫剂对新疆维吾尔自治区（简称新疆）棉花主要害虫的毒力以及对新疆本地优势天敌多异瓢虫Hippodamia variegata的安全性,于室内分别测定当前21种棉田常用化学药剂对新疆棉田3种主要害虫棉蚜Aphis gossypii、截形叶螨Etranychus truncatus和棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera以及优势天敌多异瓢虫的毒力,比较不同药剂对各种害虫和天敌的相对毒力指数以及益害毒性比。结果表明,药剂处理24 h后,10种蚜虫防治药剂对棉蚜成蚜的半致死浓度LC₅₀由高到低依次为氟啶虫胺腈、啶虫脒、吡虫啉、环氧虫啶、噻虫嗪、丁硫克百威、烯啶虫胺、呋虫胺、螺虫乙酯和吡蚜酮,其中益害毒性比较高的药剂主要有氟啶虫胺腈和螺虫乙酯;5种叶螨防治药剂对截形叶螨成螨的LC₅₀从高到低依次为阿维菌素、哒螨灵、四螨嗪、噻螨酮和炔螨特,其中益害毒性比较高的药剂主要有四螨嗪、噻螨酮和阿维菌素;6种鳞翅目害虫幼虫防治药剂对棉铃虫3龄幼虫的LC₅₀由高到低顺次为甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐（简称甲维盐）、氯虫苯甲酰胺、茚虫威、灭多威、毒死蜱和高效氯氰菊酯,其中益害毒性比较高的药剂主要有甲维盐和氯虫苯甲酰胺。综合上述2个方面结果,氟啶虫胺腈、阿维菌素、甲维盐和氯虫苯甲酰胺不仅对棉花害虫毒力效果强,而且对有益天敌安全性高。     

多杀菌素亚致死浓度对小菜蛾解毒酶系活力的影响

采用多杀菌素亚致死浓度,以浸叶法分别处理小菜蛾Plutella xylostella (L.)敏感种群(SS)和亚致死选育种群 的3龄幼虫,分别测定饲喂处理6、12、24、48和72 h后小菜蛾体内羧酸酯酶(CarE)、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GST) 和多功能氧化酶(MFOs)的活性,分析了酶活性的变化动态。结果表明,SS种群小菜蛾CarE的活性在不同时间段波动较大,经多杀菌素处理后,开始时段比活力增加,随着处理时间的延长,比活力逐渐被抑制,Sub-SS种群的GarE活力高于SS种群;多杀菌素对GST具有明显的诱导作用,亚致死浓度处理后GSTs比活力呈上升趋势,且具有一定的时间效应;对细胞色素P450酶系的O-脱甲基酶活性具有明显的抑制作用,多杀菌素亚致死浓度连续处理5代后,该酶活性更低。     

Sublethal effects of insecticides on the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (L.)

The effect of sublethal concentrations (LC₁ and LC₅₀) of permethrin, fenvalerate, methamidophos and carbaryl on diamondback moth development, female fecundity and insect behaviour was investigated. All the insecticides had deleterious effects on the number of larvae surviving to pupae, the duration of the pupal period, the number of pupae surviving to adulthood, and cocoon formation in pupae. Prolonged duration of the larval period, from third instar to pupation, and deformed pupae were also observed. Permethrin, fenvalerate and carbaryl caused latent toxicity and deformed wings in the adults. Pyrethroids and methamidophos reduced the longevity of the adults whereas carbaryl increased it. Except for permethrin, the insecticides inhibited female fecundity. At LC₁ and LC₅₀ concentrations, the pyrethroids showed both repellent and antifeedant activity against larvae, and female moths preferred to oviposit on untreated leaf discs rather than on those treated with the pyrethroids at concentrations equal to their LC₅₀ values.     

噻虫嗪对白背飞虱试验种群繁殖力的亚致死效应

为探究噻虫嗪对白背飞虱的亚致死效应,采用稻茎浸渍法以噻虫嗪亚致死浓度LC_(10)和LC_(25)胁迫白背飞虱3龄若虫,测定了F_0代和F_1代若虫的存活率、雌成虫寿命和产卵量,并组建了F_1代种群相对适合度生命表。结果表明,经噻虫嗪亚致死浓度胁迫后,F_0代白背飞虱若虫的发育历期延长,存活率降低,并且LC_(10)处理组的F_0代雌成虫寿命比对照组显著延长,而成虫产卵量无显著变化;F_1代的若虫发育历期比对照组显著延长,且产卵量有所减少,LC_(10)处理组雌成虫产卵量比对照组减少了22.24,LC_(25)处理组比对照组减少了69.96,且差异显著;LC_(10)和LC_(25)亚致死浓度处理后F_1代的种群增长趋势指数均下降,种群相对适合度分别下降了0.12和0.36。研究表明,噻虫嗪亚致死浓度胁迫均可抑制白背飞虱的种群增长。     

亚致死浓度氯虫苯甲酰胺对小菜蛾药剂敏感度和解毒酶活性的影响

采用叶片药膜法,使用亚致死浓度(LC10、LC25)的氯虫苯甲酰胺对小菜蛾Plutella xylostella(L.)3龄幼虫连续处理5代后,试虫对氯虫苯甲酰胺的敏感度分别比敏感品系下降了57.3% 和67.7%,同时对多杀菌素的敏感度也分别下降了60.2% 和51.5%,但对毒死蜱和高效氯氰菊酯的敏感度变化不明显。采用该浓度的氯虫苯甲酰胺分别处理小菜蛾3龄幼虫24、48和72 h,可诱导其羧酸酯酶(CarE)比活力上升,但对细胞色素P450 O-脱乙基酶(ECOD)、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)和芳基酰胺酶(AA)有明显的抑制作用;连续处理5代后,小菜蛾CarE和ECOD的比活力显著高于对照组,分别为对照组的1.16、1.40倍和1.65、1.56倍,但GSTs和AA的比活力则分别比对照下降了11.0%、27.5%和43.6%、52.5%。结果表明,小菜蛾对氯虫苯甲酰胺产生抗性的风险较高;羧酸酯酶和多功能氧化酶可能与小菜蛾对氯虫苯甲酰胺的敏感度下降有关。     

Sub-lethal influences of different insecticides on oviposition preference of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on cotton in relation to altered plant morphology

We investigated the sub-lethal influences of spinosad, chlorpyriphos, endosulfan, acephate and cypermethrin on the oviposition responses of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) to cotton plants, under cage and laboratory conditions. The rank order of toxicity (LC₅₀ values as a per cent) of test insecticides against third instar larvae using the leaf disc method was: spinosad > chlorpyriphos > endosulfan > acephate > cypermethrin. On whole plants, females laid more eggs on acephate LC₅₀-, acephate LC₃₀- and cypermethrin LC₅₀-treated cotton plants than on the control. The chlorpyriphos-treated plants were least preferred for oviposition. When excised cotton leaves from different treatments were used in a multiple-choice test, cypermethrin LC₅₀- and endosulfan LC₃₀-treated leaves received more eggs than the control. The repeated application of sub-lethal concentrations of different insecticides reduced plant height in the case of acephate LC₃₀ and cypermethrin LC₅₀, while plant spread and upper canopy leaf area were reduced in both treatments of acephate and cypermethrin. Reduced plant spread, upper canopy leaf area followed by plant height were found associated with oviposition preference by H. armigera females.