Study on the effects of different host plants on development and growth rate of Acrotylus humbertianus

Abstract

Acrotylus humbertianus Saussure is a major agriculture pest in Matiari district. This species consumes a wide variety of food plants from different families. During present study five food plants i.e. Zea mays (Maize), Saccharum officinarum (Sugarcane), Sorghum bicolor (Jowar), Cynodon dactylon (Grass) and Brassica oleracea (Cabbage) were found suitable for A. humbertianus. Growth rate of A. humbertianus was noted as 41.20±0.51 days, 39.35±12.50 days, 39.29±0.58 days, 33.28±0.79 days and 32.80±0.40 days on Z. mays, S. officinarum, B. oleracea, C. dactylon and S. bicolor respectively. However, survivability of A. humbertianus fed on these plants did not differ remarkably, although their survivability was higher on S. officinarum followed by B. oleracea and Z. mays, this learning will be proved a significant guideline for culturing of this species.