Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
R Lalrinfeli and V Lalnunpuii

Abstract:
Vegetable cultivation is important in the agriculture economy of India particularly in the north eastern states. Among the vegetables, cole crops are one of the most abundantly consumed vegetables all over the world. It provides much needed dietary fibres, essential minerals and vitamins. The chief constraint in the production of cole crops is insect pest complex, which damage the crops right from germination till harvesting time. Among all, lepidopteran pests are dominant and causing huge losses in cole crops. Hence, an investigation was carried out to study the effects of different host plants on biological attributes of the Spodoptera litura and Pieris brassicae, Overall results revealed that, different host plants were found to have variable effects on certain biological parameters. Cabbage was found to be a most preferred host for oviposition by both the insects. Larval period of S. litura (Frabicius) during different instars were not affected when fed on different hosts except 3rd instar, where it was found to be significantly highest on cabbage (5.75±0.25 days) and lowest on knol- khol (4.75±0.25 days) and also pupal period of S. litura was found to be significantly higher on knol- khol (7.25±0.25 days). It was observed that, the total larval period was found to be significantly lower on cabbage (22±0.40 days) and highest on cauliflower (28.20±0.57 days) and the larval weight of 3rd instar was found to be significantly higher on knol- khol (2.75±0.14g). This study can be concluded that, cabbage is the most preferred host for oviposition for both the test insects.