G. it. Ent., 2 (11): 399-406
December 31, 1985
Effect of food plants on growth, development and reproduction of
Plusia eriosoma (Doubleday)
(Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)
by
S. R. TRIPATHI & S. AKHTAR
Abstract - Plusia eriosoma (Doubleday) was reared on four food plants namely cabbage, gram, potato and berseem. The growth was studied under laboratory conditions from January to March 1985. The weight acquired by the mature larvae showed variation among the tested food plants. The weight of the pupa also varied in response to rearing on different tested food plants. The cabbage, gram and potato caused normal mortality (10-20%), but berseem caused abnormal mortality (30%). The cabbage induced the quickest pupation. The emergence of the insect varied from 59 to 93% among the tested food plants, thereby suggesting that it is also affected by the type of food. Fecundity also differed markedly from food to food. The tested food plants supported a higher and almost identical viability of eggs in P. eriosoma.
