Influence of food plants on different developmental stages of Aiolopus thalassinus thalassinus with special reference to its mating strategies

Abstract

Aiolopus thalassinus thalassinus F. is reported as major pest of maize, alfalfa, millet, wheat, berseem, vegetables and grasses. During the present study, it was reared on four different plants that include: Madicago sativa, Sorghum bicolor, Zea mays and Cynodon dactylon in order to know its preference on different host plants. It was noted that S. bicolor was observed most favorite food plant for this species and A. thalassinus thalassinus completed its nymphal development in short time i-e (28.8± 1.57) for ♂ and (26.26± 0.67) for ♀. Opposing to this it take prolong time on the C. dactylon and M. sativa. The total period of nymphal development as well as maturation period of both sexes of nymphs was faster on S. bicolor and slower on M. sativa. Mating duration was prolonged on S. bicolor (52.28± 1.17 hrs) and shortest on C. dactylon (43.48± 2.34hrs), whereas maximum number of mating were noted on M. sativa i-e (7.20 ± 0.83) and minimum on Z. mays i-e (5.40 ± 0.54). Beside this, it was also observed that survival-ship of insect was significant highest on S. bicolor as compare to other treated food plants. Present study recommends that data obtained during this study will help to control this pest in field by cultivation of alternate food plants.