Studies on Growth and Development of Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) on Various Hosts and Artificial Diet under Laboratory Conditions (original) (raw)

Present investigation was carried out on five different diets (Chickpea soaked grains, Tomato fruits, Pigeon pea soaked grains, Pea soaked grains and Artificial diet) to evaluate the feeding response on growth and development parameters against Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) at controlled conditions at 27-29oC temperature, 55-75% relative humidity and photoperiod of 10-14 (L:D)h. Growth and development was compared as different parameters such as larval period, pre-pupal period, pupal period, percent pupation, pupal weight and percent adult emergence along with preoviposition period, oviposition period, post oviposition period, fecundity, longevity and sex ratio. Growth indices values were also studied on different hosts also. The results revealed that artificial diet had relatively shorter larval period, pre-pupal period and percent pre-pupa as compared to other diets experimented followed by chickpea (grains). Longer duration of larval instars in general on the contrary has been observed with tomato (fruits). Moreover, pre-pupal and pupal weight was also observed highest on artificial diet followed by chickpea and lowest on tomato. Percent pupation and adult emergence was also recorded highest in artificial diet followed by chickpea and least on tomato. Effect of different tested diets on pre-oviposition, oviposition, postoviposition and fecundity was also found better in artificial diet followed by chickpea, tomato, pea and pigeonpea. However, the sex ratio obtained after feeding the larvae on different diets did not differ significantly. The growth index, larval-pupal index, pupal weight index, survival index and ovipositional index values were found highest with artificial diet followed by chickpea, pea and pigeonpea while it was the lowest on tomato. Therefore, from the present experiment it was concluded that artificial diet to be proved more effective in all parameters. Also it would be helpful for mass rearing of H. armigera on different food substrates which ultimately be beneficial for making better management practices of this noxious pest