The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a cosmopolitan insect pest of Brassica crops. In South Africa, there are no action thresholds for its chemical control which makes it difficult for growers to make informed decisions on when to apply insecticides and how frequently to apply them in order to achieve optimal crop yield. To contribute towards optimum application of insecticides against P. xylostella, this study compared the impact of weekly and bi-weekly applications of a selective insecticide Dipel® (Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner var. kurstaki) applied at 250 g/ha, and a broad-spectrum insecticide Dichlorvos (an organophosphate) applied at 1 ml/L against biological control (Control) on the pest population density on cabbage during October– December 2011 and March–May 2012. The use of both selective and broad-spectrum insecticides for experiments enables us to understand if efforts to optimise cabbage yield depend mainly on effective suppression of P. xylostella densities. Furthermore, investigations were carried out to determine the impact of these chemicals on parasitism rates of P. xylostella and species richness of its primary parasitoids. During the October–December 2011 growing season, the lowest infestation of P. xylostella occurred on cabbage plots that received weekly application of Dipel and the highest on untreated control plots. Cabbage weights were negatively related to infestation levels, implying that weekly application of Dipel yielded bigger cabbage heads. During March– May 2012, P. xylostella infestations were again higher on the control followed by weekly and bi-weekly treatments of Dichlorvos, then weekly and bi-weekly applications of Dipel. Despite the significant differences observed, infestation levels were much lower (< 1 P. xylostella per plant on average) in all treatments during this season. Consequently no significant differences in cabbage weights were observed among the treatments. The lower infestation levels were attributed to higher parasitism levels (≥50 %), especially during the early stages of crop development. A total of four parasitic Hymenoptera species were recorded from P. xylostella larvae and pupae during October–December 2011, while three species were recorded during March– May 2012. However, Cotesia vestalis (Haliday) (Braconidae) accounted for >80 % of total parasitism levels in all treatments. Parasitism levels were not significantly different among the treatments in both seasons. Parasitoid species richness was highest on the control. Although two parasitoid species were recorded in all Dipel and Dichlorvos treatments during October–December 2011, only one parasitoid species was recorded in the Dipel treatments during March–May 2012 compared to two species in Dichlorvos treatments. Although weekly applications of Dipel ensured good yield and crop quality during October–December, weekly applications of the chemical did not lead to better quality crop during March–May crop growing season. Thus, it is not necessary to apply insecticides during periods in which natural mortality of P. xylostella is high due to parasitoids. Since P. xylostella abundance was a determining factor of crop quality, these results imply that insect pest management should focus mainly on suppressing its numbers. Furthermore, there was no evidence that application of either insecticide type had a negative impact on parasitism rates of P. xylostella. The lower parasitoid species richness on Dipel treated plots was the consequence of its higher efficiency in suppressing the pest population which substantially reduced availability of potential hosts for parasitoids, hence only the efficient C. vestalis was recorded at low host densities / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M.Sc. (Agriculture)

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Field experiments were conducted in 1983 and 1984 to compare conventional tillage (CT) versus no-tillage (NT) production of broccoli and cabbage. The tillage treatments were applied in combination with four rates of applied nitrogen fertilizer and three cover crops: hairy vetch (<u>Vigia villosa</u> Roth), Austrian winter pea (<u>Fisum arvenu</u> L.), and cereal rye (<u>Secale cereale</u> L.). Transplants of 'Premium Crop' broccoli (<u>Brassica oleracea</u> var. <u>italica</u> Plenck) and 'Market Prize' cabbage (<u>Brassica oleracea</u> var. <u>capitata</u> L.) were set with a locally adapted NT vegetable planter. None of the variables studied affected the final plant stand. Yield and head size with NT were equal to or greater than CT. Soil moisture was higher under NT plots throughout the growing season. Yield and head size with the two legume covers were equal to or greater than those with the rye cover. Yield and head size tended to increase as applied N was increased, although differences were not always significant. The data, although not conclusive, indicate that the legume cover crops provided additional nitrogen for the cole crops. / Master of Science

Respondents of the 1986 Broccoli Growers Survey grew an average of 6.2 acres of broccoli in Fall 1986; popular varieties were Green Valiant (87.5% of respondents), Packman and Emperor (62.5%). Less than 5% of tobacco land was converted to broccoli production by 62.5% of the growers. Before heading, 2.4 insecticidal sprays were applied for worms at $20.51/acre. During heading, 2.4 insecticidal sprays were applied for worms at $19.40/acre. Under normal growing conditions, a nine-day mean of 8.4 and a 15-day mean of 12.1 cabbage looper larvae/plant did not significantly reduce yield in the Spring and Fall respectively. However, means of 7.4 and 11.1 cabbage looper larvae/plant reduced yield (head weight) under drought conditions. Harvest date was not affected by the above cabbage looper levels. In Fall 1986, a reduction in yield occurred when plants had 50% or more defoliation and harvest date was significantly delayed at 100% defoliation. In the drought stressed Spring 1987 planting, a stimulation in yield occurred at 25% defoliation and 75% defoliation was needed to significantly reduce yield, but there was no difference in harvest date. The imported cabbageworm was the most abundant pest of broccoli in Montgomery Co., VA. Based on counts of all immature stages of the insects for three seasons, Packman and Southern Comet varieties were less preferred compared to Green Defender. Laboratory studies indicated that imported cabbageworm larvae developed faster to the fifth instar on Packman broccoli than those reared on Green Defender, Southern Comet or Emperor. Difference in amount consumed between varieties was not detected. Pupae reared on Southern Comet weighed significantly more than those reared on Packman. / M.S.

Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2017-03-27T16:20:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Viviane Jurema Lopes Borges Rodrigues.pdf: 780077 bytes, checksum: c60257b425b95e0377eca176e4335872 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-27T16:20:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Viviane Jurema Lopes Borges Rodrigues.pdf: 780077 bytes, checksum: c60257b425b95e0377eca176e4335872 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003-03-13 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata ), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinnensis) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) have high economic expression in the Agreste region in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. However, the occurrence of foliar diseases such as Alternaria black spot, caused by Alternaria brassicicola, represent great worry in farming systems areas. Thus, this research aimed to analyze the epidemiology of Alternaria black spot on Taibyo cultivar of Chinese cabbage in different farming systems (conventional, organic and protected); at four transplant seasons and two irrigation systems under organic farming; at three transplant spacing under conventional farming; as well as analyze the comparative epidemiology of Alternaria black spot in 22 brassica cultivars being nine broccoli, five Chinese cabbage, four cauliflower andfour cabbage, under conventional and organic farming systems. Evaluations of the beginning of initial symptoms (BIS) and severity of the disease on every leaf of 10 plants were made. Disease progress curves were ploted, and epidemiology were compared through by BIS, maximum disease severity (ymax), disease progress rate (DPR), and the area under disease progress curves (AUDPC) in all experiments. The October 2000 transplant season was the most propitious to Alternaria black spot, while the July 2001 transplant season was unfavorable to disease development, since it took longer for the symptoms to show, and the values of ymax and DPR were lower than in other periods. Comparing the three farming systems, the highest values of ymax, DPR and AUDPC were observed in organic farming, indicating that this condition was the most favorable to Alternaria black spot. Trickle irrigation compared to the sprinkle system showed lower development of Alternaria blackspot, represented by lower values of ymax, DPR and AUDPC. As far as spacing is concerned, the combination 0.33 x 0.50 m showed the lowest values of ymax and AUDPC. All brassicacultivars evaluated were susceptible to A. brassicicola. In most situations, significative difference was detected among cultivars grown in the same farming system. Higher disease intensity was obeserved in organic farming system. Chinese cabbage (Tropical Pride and Tropical Delight), cauliflower (Arfak), and cabbage (Fuyutoyo and Rubro) had the lowest disease levels. . On all situations, significative correlations were noted among the severity of Alternaria black spot disease and both the highest temperature average and the relative air humidity in the 14 days prior to the disease evaluation. / O cultivo de repolho (Brassica oleracea var. capitata ), couve-flor (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), couve-chinesa (Brassica pekinnensis) e brócolis (Brassica oleracea var. italica) têm grande expressão econômica na região Agreste do Estado de Pernambuco. No entanto, a ocorrência de doenças foliares como a alternariose, causada por Alternaria brassicicola, representa grande preocupação ao sistema de produção das áreas de plantio. Neste contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivos analisar a epidemiologia da alternariose em couve-chinesa, cv. Taibyo, em diferentes sistemas de cultivo (convencional, orgânico e protegido), em quatro épocas de plantio e dois sistemas de irrigação no cultivo orgânico, em três espaçamentos de plantio no cultivo convencional, bem como analisar a epidemiologia comparativa da alternariose em 22 cultivares de brássicas, sendo nove de brócolis, cinco de couve-chinesa, quatro de couve-flor e quatro de repolho, nos sistemas de produção convencional e orgânico.Foram avaliados o início do aparecimento dos sintomas (IAS) da alternariose e a severidade da doença em todas as folhas de 10 plantas por parcela. Curvas de progresso da doença foram plotadas e as epidemias comparadas em relação ao IAS, severidade máxima (ymax), taxa estimada de progresso da doença (TPD) e área abaixo da curva de progresso da doença (AACPD) em todos os experimentos. Na comparação entre os três sistemas de cultivo, no orgânico foram observados os maiores valores de ymax, TPD e AACPD, indicando que este sistema propiciou condições mais favoráveis para a alternariose. O transplantio em outubro de 2000 foi o mais propício para a alternariose da couve-chinesa no cultivo orgânico, enquanto o realizado em julho de 2001 foi desfavorável ao desenvolvimento da doença, pois os sintomas apareceram mais tardiamente e os valores de ymax e TPD foram menores que nos outros períodos. No cultivo irrigado por gotejamento ocorreu menor desenvolvimento da alternariosedo que no irrigado por microaspersão, representado pelos valores inferiores de ymax, TPD eAACPD. Com relação ao espaçamento, na combinação 0,33 x 0,50 m foram registrados os menores valores de ymax e AACPD. Todas as cultivares de brássicas avaliadas foram suscetíveis a A. brassicicola, embora na maioria das situações tenha sido detectada diferença significativa entre as cultivares dentro de um mesmo sistema de cultivo. Em geral, foram constatados maiores níveis de intensidade da alternariose no sistema orgânico que no convencional. As cultivares de couve-chinesa Tropical Pride e Tropical Delight, de couve-flor Arfak e de repolho Fuyutoyo e Rubro merecem destaque pelos menores níveis de alternariose apresentados nos dois sistemas de cultivo. Em todas as situações analisadas foram constatadas correlações significativas entre a severidade da alternariose e as médias da temperatura e da umidade relativa do ar nos 14 dias que antecederam a avaliação da doença

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus 1758.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a major insect pest of Brassica crops in many parts of the world leading to economic losses amounting to an estimated US$ 4-5 billion. Although parasitoids (biological control agents) play a major role in suppressing the pest populations during November – May in South Africa, the pest reaches outbreak status during September and October due to low impact of parasitoids, which has necessitated regular application of insecticides. However, insecticide applications have often resulted in the pest developing resistance, and when coupled with the negative effects of several insecticides on parasitoids, integration of the two pest control strategies for effective management of P. xylostella population density has been difficult to achieve. One approach that has received little attention is integration of host plant resistance (bottom-up effect) and biological control (top-down effect) for effective management of P. xylostella. However, the interaction between host plants, the insect pest, and parasitoids is not simple and straight forward, as strong negative impact of host plants on fitness of the insect pest can be cascaded up the food chain and have a negative impact on a given parasitoid, which in turn may reduce the desired complementary effect between the two pest control strategies. To identify optimal interactions between cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata, Brassicaceae), P. xylostella and its larval parasitoid Cotesia vestalis (Haliday 1834) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), this study investigated (i) the effects of seven cabbage cultivars (Empowa, Hollywood F1, Megaton, Leano, Menzania, Beverley Hills and Karabo) on fitness parameters (survival, developmental time, pupal weights, longevity without food and oviposition rates) of P. xylostella; (ii) the influence of the same host plant cultivars on fitness parameters (developmental time, pupal weights, longevity xi without food, fecundity, emergence rate and sex ratio) of C. vestalis. Furthermore, net reproductive rates and the intrinsic rates of natural increase were calculated for C. vestalis that emerged from hosts fed on each of the cultivars. All experiments were conducted in climate-controlled laboratory rooms maintained at 22 ± 1 ºC (mean ± S.D.), 60 ± 5 % RH and 16L: 8D photoperiod. Under the no choice test, overall survival of P. xylostella immature stages was highest on Karabo (67.26%) and lowest on Megaton (44.92%). The larval and pupal developmental period, and generation time was prolonged on Empowa (18.48 days), Karabo (14.64 days) and Beverly Hills (17.48 days), while developmental period on Hollywood F1 (13.79 days) was shortest. Male and female P. xylostella pupal weights were lighter from larvae that fed on Megaton (4.13 and 4.65 mg), Menzania (4.53 and 4.91 mg), and Hollywood F1 (4.11 and 5.08 mg), whereas pupal weights from Karabo (6.0 and 6.82 mg) were the heaviest. Unfed female moths originally reared on Beverley Hills had the highest longevity (5.05 days), whereas those reared on Leano (3.54 days) and Megaton (3.89 days) had the shortest life span. Under the choice-test, P. xylostella moth laid significantly more eggs on Empowa (48.8%) and Hollywood F1 (45.6%) and least on Menzania (11.8%) and Leano (10.6%). Megaton was more resistant to P. xylostella due to lower survival rates of immature stages, lower pupal weights and moth longevity. The generation time of C. vestalis was shortest on Karabo (10.10 days) and Leano (10.38 days), and longest on Megaton (12.57 days) and Empowa (12.80 days). The highest pupal weight of C. vestalis was obtained from parasitoids reared from P. xylostella fed Menzania (5.4 mg), Megaton (5.25 mg) and Beverly Hills (4.85 mg) and the lightest on Karabo (3.8 mg). Parasitoids reared on larvae that fed on Hollywood F1 lived the longest (2.28 days) followed by Menzania (1.94 days) and Beverly Hills (1.8 days), whereas those whose hosts fed on Leano had shortest life span (0.83 days). Despite the parasitoids from Megaton hosts being heavier, their fecundity and number of female progeny per female (16.87 and 3.60, respectively) were lowest. Cotesia vestalis fecundity and daughters produced per female were highest on hosts fed on Menzania (38.00 and 9.13, respectively) and Beverly Hills (32.87 and 9.07, respectively). As a consequence, the net reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of increase (r) were higher on Menzania (7.87 and 0.58, respectively) and Beverly Hills (8.29 and 0.62, respectively). As survival and overall fitness of P. xylostella was lower on Megaton, this cultivar can play a major role in restricting population growth of this pest and thus generational number of eggs deposited on it during September and October. However, this strong bottom-up effect of Megaton on P. xylostella was cascaded up the food chain, as overall fitness of C. vestalis was lower on hosts developing on it. In contrast, the overall fitness of C. vestalis was higher on hosts that developed on Menzania and Beverly Hills. As these cultivars showed potential to sustain population density of C. vestalis at higher levels, it is also assumed that the period required for the parasitoid to reach the critical density to suppress the host population at a lower average density will be reached quicker than on other cultivars. Thus, their cultivation may improve biological control of P. xylostella during November–May in South Africa / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

<p>U ovom radu je obrađen postupak spontane fermentacije tradicionalnog proizvoda, fermentisanog kupusa u glavicama. U prvom delu urađena je karakterizacija domaće tradicionalne populacije Futo&scaron;ki u odnosu na uvozni hibrid Bravo. Na osnovu PCA analize i analize standardnih ocena SS fizičkih, hemijskih i senzorskih paramentara odabrani su uzorci povoljni za proces fermentacije. Proces fermentacje je obavljen na temperaturama 16-18^oC, 18-20^oC i 20-20^oC, i sa razliĉitim koncentracijama soli od 1, 1,5 i 2 %. Analizirani su fizički, hemijski, mikrobiolo&scaron;ki parametri i senzorske osobine kupusa tokom fermentacije. Metodom odzivne povr&scaron;ine sa analizom varijanse (ANOVA) modela odziva za svaki od analiziranih karakteristika i obja&scaron;njeno je koji od parametara procesa temperatura, koncentracija soli i vreme trajanja procesa ima statistiĉki značajan uticaj na formiranje matematiĉkih modela odziva, prikazanih u obliku polinoma drugog reda (SOP). Zaključeno je da Futo&scaron;ki kupus postiţe brţe zavr&scaron;nu taĉku fermentacije u odnosu na hibrid Bravo. Drugi kori&scaron;ćeni tehnolo&scaron;ki postupak u ovom radu je osmotska dehidratacija. Kupus je dehidriran u tri osmotska rastvora (vodeni rastvor natrijum hlorida i saharoze, kombinacija vodenog rastvora natrijum hlorida i saharoze i melase i melasa &scaron;ećerne repe) različitih koncentracija, na tri temperature (20&deg;C, 35&deg;C i 50&deg;C) i pri tri vremena trajanja procesa (1, 3 i 5h). Mereni i računati odzivi procesa osmotske dehidratacije bili su: sadržaj suve materije, gubitak vode, prirast suve materije i indeks efiksanosti procesa. Rezultati ispitivanja pokazuju da povećanje tehnolo&scaron;kih parametara temperature i vremena procesa, kao i koncentracije osmotskih rastvora dovode do intenziviranja prenosa mase u procesu i povećanja vrednosti odzivnih parametara procesa. Takođe, zaključeno je da tokom osmotske dehidratacije u melasi &scaron;ećerne repe dolazi do obogaćivanja kupusa nutritivnim komponentama, naročito kalijumom. Treći segment ovog rada je analiza održivosti osmotski dehidriranog kupusa pakovanog u modiifikovanoj atmosferi dve različite sme&scaron;e gasova N₂ i CO₂. Analizom hemijskih, mikrobiolo&scaron;kih i senzorskih svojstava zaključeno je da ovaj osmotski dehidriran kupus pakovan na navedeni način ima održivost od 90 dana.</p> / <p>This paper describes the process of spontaneous fermentation of traditional product, fermented whole cabbage. In the first part characterization of the local traditional type Futo&scaron;ki cabbage in relation to imported hybrid Bravo was done. Based on the PCA analysis and analysis of the standard score SS physical, chemical and sensory parameters favorable samples for the process of fermentation were selected. The process of fermentation was carried out at three temperatures: 16-18^oC, 18-20^oC and 20-20^oC, and with various concentrations of salt: 1, 1.5 and 2%. The physical, chemical and microbiological parameters, as well as sensory properties of cabbage during fermentation were analyzed. Response surface method with analysis of variance (ANOVA) model response for each of the analyzed characteristics was used and it was explained which of the process parameters (temperature, salt concentration and the duration of the process) had a statistically significant effect on the formation of mathematical models of response, presented in the form of a second order polynomial (SOP). It was concluded that Futo&scaron;ki cabbage faster achieved end point of fermentation as compared to a hybrid Bravo. Another technological method used in this investigation was the osmotic dehydration. Cabbage was dehydrated with three osmotic solutions (an aqueous solution of sodium chloride and sucrose; the combination of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride and sucrose with molasses; sugar beet molasses) of different concentrations, at three temperatures (20&deg;C, 35&deg;C and 50&deg;C) and at three times of the process duration (1, 3, and 5h). The measured and calculated responses of osmotic dehydration process were: dry matter content, water loss, solid gain and the index of efficiency of the process. Test results shown that increase of the technological parameters of temperature and time of process, as well as the concentration of osmotic solutions lead to the intensification of mass transfer in the process and increase values of response parameters of the process. Also, it was concluded that during osmotic dehydration in sugar beet molasses cabbage was enriched with nutritional components, especially potassium. The third segment of this investigation was to analyze the viability of osmotically dehydrated cabbage packaged in modified atmosphere, with two different mixtures of N₂ and CO₂. Analyzing chemical, microbiological and sensory properties it was concluded that the osmotically dehydrated cabbage packaged in this manner has the sustainability of 90 days.</p>

A agregação em insetos centra-se nas vantagens relativas ao forrageio e no aumento da defesa contra predadores. Além disso, agregações de ovos podem beneficiar-se pelo aumento nas taxas de eclosão larval. Neste trabalho, foram testadas as hipóteses de que agregações de Ascia monuste orseis (Godart, 1819) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) uma espécie que se alimenta em agregações larvais em plantas da família Brassicaceae - conferem benefícios à performance larval e adulta, na assimilação de alimento pelas larvas, na viabilidade dos ovos e na proteção larval contra inimigos naturais. A possibilidade de um dado comportamento do grupo resultar em maior ataque por inimigos naturais também foi avaliada, bem como um padrão comportamental defensivo em resposta aos inimigos naturais. Para tanto, quatro tratamentos de diferentes tamanhos de agregações larvais foram formados (1, 7, 15 e 30 larvas) para avaliar a performance e a assimilação de alimento em laboratório. Em campo, três tratamentos foram formados (1, 10 e 50 larvas) para testar o efeito do tamanho do tamanho do grupo na predação e parasitismo. A performance do estágio de ovo foi examinada em posturas de tamanhos variados em casa de vegetação. Larvas gregárias desenvolveram-se mais rápido nos ínstares iniciais e tornaram-se fêmeas mais fecundas em comparação às solitárias; entretanto, larvas solitárias apresentaram maior tamanho do que as gregárias. A sobrevivência não diferiu entre os tratamentos em laboratório. Foi observado um menor consumo per capita de alimento por larvas gregárias, sem custos para a assimilação de alimento. A viabilidade dos ovos aumentou com o tamanho da agregação de ovos, comprovando o benefício da agregação larval na fase de ovo. A menor predação per capita em agregações larvais maiores conferiu uma maior proteção às larvas de A. monuste orseis contra predadores e parasitoides, através do efeito da diluição do ataque entre os indivíduos do grupo. O parasitoidismo foi mais expressivo em larvas de primeiros ínstares, enquanto que larvas mais tardias foram mais atacadas por predadores, independente do tamanho da agregação. Por fim, eventos comportamentais que envolvem movimentação da cabeça como exploração e alimentação foram mais perigosos para as larvas de A. monuste orseis em comparação ao repouso e deslocamento, semelhantemente a espécies de hábito solitário. Eventos comportamentais supostamente defensivos foram observados em todos os ínstares e tratamentos. As vantagens da agregação em A. monuste orseis mostraram-se especialmente importantes no estágio de ovo e primeiros ínstares, pela diminuição da mortalidade de ovos e vulnerabilidade larval aos inimigos naturais. Esses benefícios provavelmente sobrepõem-se aos custos, como a competição por interferência observada entre as larvas no final do desenvolvimento. Nossos resultados mostram que o malogro dos ovos e os efeitos dos inimigos naturais constituem fortes pressões seletivas na manutenção da agregação de ovos e larval em A. monuste orseis, a qual confere uma melhor performance do ponto de vista bi-trófico, bem como maior probabilidade de sobrevivência individual sob o ponto de vista tri-trófico. / In insects, the gregarious habit has been shown to improve foraging and defense against predation to both larval and adult stages. Egg clusters could also be beneficial through increased larval hatching. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that egg clusters and larval aggregations of the neotropical butterfly Ascia monuste orseis (Godart, 1819) (Pieridae) - a subspecies that uses Brassicaceae as hosts - lead to several benefits from both bi- and tri-trophic perspectives. Larval and adult performances, food assimilation by the larvae, egg viability, as well as protection against natural enemies were assessed from individuals reared either isolated or aggregated. The behavior of larval aggregations was also examined with respect to predation risk, as well as the corresponding larval defensive behaviors after enemy attack. Four treatments with different larval aggregation sizes were assigned (1, 7, 15 e 30 larvae) to assess larval performance and food utilization in the laboratory. In the field, three treatments were assigned (1, 10 e 50 larvae) to evaluate the effects of group size on predation and parasitoidism. Egg performance was examined through egg clusters of different sizes in a greenhouse. Gregarious larvae developed faster, especially in early instars, and became more fecund females than solitary larvae; however, the latter attained larger body size than the former. Under laboratory conditions, survival did not differ among treatments. Lower food ingestion per capita was observed in gregarious larvae, with no cost in food assimilation. The viability of eggs increased as egg aggregation size increased. The lower per capita predation in larger larval aggregations than smaller groups conferred higher protection to A. monuste orseis larvae against natural enemies, through the dilution effects among individuals of the group. Parasitoidism was more intense in small-sized larvae while late instars were more susceptible to predators, regardless of aggregation size. Similar to species with solitary habit, behavioral events which involved head movements as searching and feeding were more dangerous to A. monuste orseis larvae compared to resting and walking. Presumed defensive behaviors were observed in all instars and treatments. Thus, the benefits of aggregation in A. monuste orseis can be seen especially in the egg stage and in first instars, as it reduces egg mortality and larval vulnerability to natural enemies. These benefits probably overcome some costs, such as interference competition in the late instars. Taken together, the results show that egg failure and top-down effects constitute selective pressures in maintaining egg and larval aggregation in A. monuste orseis, by providing better performance from a bi-trophic perspective and increased probability of individual survival from a tri-trophic perspective when compared to solitary individuals.