Morphometric and developmental consequences in Em

Authors: Kurra Sandhyarani Pathipati Usha Rani

Publish Date: 2013/03/01

Volume: 41, Issue: 3, Pages: 317-325

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Abstract

The tobacco caterpillar Spodoptera litura Fabricius Lepidoptera Noctuidae is a polyphagous pest defoliating sweet potato Ipomoea batata Lam Convolvulaceae throughout Asia The study of morphometric parameters of S litura as a result of feeding on three varieties RNSP1 KIRAN and RNSP3 of host plant revealed that a greater number of egg masses were laid on the KIRAN variety than on the others I batata varieties showed statistically significant effects on length breadth and weight of different larval instars KIRANfed larvae molted to biggersized pupae S litura larvae reared on KIRAN variety had the highest feeding index as well as growth index The low concentrations of phenols and carbohydrates coupled with elevated levels of proteins and amino acids were found in KIRAN as compared with RNSP1 and RNSP3 Collectively the results of this study revealed that KIRAN cultivar was the most suitable food plant for the development of S litura Concurrently it is suggested that this cultivar is therefore least suitable for sweet potato cultivationThe authors are grateful to Department of Science and Technology Women Scientist Scheme WOS A New Delhi for a research grant and to Dr JS Yadav Director Indian Institute of Chemical Technology Hyderabad India for encouragement and the use of facilities

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