CONSUMPTION AND UTILIZATION OF DIFFERENT HOST PLANTS BY SPODOPTERA LITURA LARVAE

Studies on consumption and utilization often food plants by Spodoptera litura Fab, revealed that the consumption index (C.I.) was significantly lower on cauliflower, sunflower, cabbage, while it was higher on mint, tomato and brinjal. The growth rate (G.R.) was lower on mulbery, pumpkin, mint, tomato and brijal. Whereas higher growth rate has been observed on castor, cauliflower, cabbage and sunflower. On the basis of seven nutritional parameters, the plants can be grouped into two distinct clusters in which castor, cauliflower, cabbage and sunflower were classified as most suitable plants while brinjal, tomato were poorer in supporting the development of this insect.