Influence of biotic factor on the life cycle of Spodoptera litura fabricius, 1775 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Influence of biotic factor was studied on Spodoptera litura Fabricius, 1775 by comparing life cycle on different hosts like tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), chilli (Capsicum annum), cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and cotton (Gossypium sp.). As we change the host, insect also changes its life cycle. From the study it was observed that Spodoptera litura completes its life cycle in 31.8, 32.5, 34, 39.2 days on tomato, chilli, cabbage and cotton leaves respectively. Also consumption of leaf and larval weight were studied on different hosts. It was observed that after 72 hours, consumption of leaf is more in tomato (0.47g) followed by chilli (0.42g), cabbage (0.37g) and cotton (0.26g) leaves. Larval weight gain was recorded which indicates 0.1575g increased in weight when fed with tomato leaf followed by chilli (0.1388g), cabbage (0.0913g) and cotton (0.0613g) leaves.