New test reveals early diapause in pink bollworm

Abstract

Through basic research into genetic control of pink bollworm development, we devised a rapid immunological method of determining diapause in pink bollworm larvae — formerly a monthlong process which now requires only 24 hours. This new “ELISA” method has revealed that the pink bollworm larvae in the Imperial Valley sometimes enter diapause weeks ahead of the expected September date for diapause induction. The earliness of diapause induction is correlated with the severity of stress on the cotton plant caused by whitefly infestations.