Influence of (+)- to (-)- Gossypol Ratio on Helicoverpa zea Larval Development

Gossypol is a terpenoid aldehyde that is found in two enantiomeric forms, (+)- and (-)-gossypol, in various cotton plant tissues. A previous study indicated that cotton plants with a high (+)- to (-)- gossypol ratio sustained less boll damaged by Helicoverpa armigera larvae. In this study, we measured the levels of gossypol and other gossypol-related compounds, in addition to the gossypol enantiomer ratio,  in a germplasm with a high (+)- to (-)- gossypol ratio. In conjunction, insect feeding bioassays on squares and bolls were conducted using Helicoverpa zea larvae to examine the effects of (+)- to (-)- gossypol ratio on larval development.