Oviposition deterrents from potato, wheat germ, larval frass, and artificial diet for Agrotis segetum (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Methanol extracts of potato tubers and wheat germ acted as strong deterrents of oviposition for females of the moth Agrotis segetum Schiffermuller compared with pure solvent. Extracts of a semisynthetic diet, based on potato and wheat germ, and extracts of frass from larvae reared on this diet also elicited oviposition deterrence. Extracts in water and chloroform were also oviposition deterring, but to a lower extent. Feral females showed the same response to the extracts as females of the laboratory strain reared on the semisynthetic diet for many generations. Frass extracts of A. segetum larvae also deterred oviposition by female A. exclamationis L., whereas female Mamestra brassicae L. did not respond to the extract.