EFFECT OF DIFFERENT HOST PLANTS ON BIOLOGY OF TOBACCO CATERPILLAR, SPODOPTERA UTURA (FABRICIUS) (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE)

摘要

Comparative biology of Spodoptera litura was studied on castor, cabbage, cauliflower, potato and artificial diet under laboratory conditions. Larval period differed significantly on various host plants ranging from 15.40-26.00 compared with 19.05 dayson artificial diet. However, host plants did not significantly influence the pupal development. Longest development period (37.81 days) was recorded on castor and shortest (25-28 days) on potato. Adult longevity was maximum in case of castor (15.03 days) and minimum in cabbage (2.25 days). Significantly higher fecundity was recorded for adults emerged from larvae fed on castor leaves. The growth and survival index values were also significantly higher on castor.