Effect of Natural Host Plants on Biological parameters of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) Singh Brijesh, Kumar Arun, Gupta G.P.1 Department of Zoology, A.S. (PG) College, Mawana, Uttar Pradesh - 250 401. 1Division of Entomology, I.A.R.I., New Delhi - 110 012, India. Abstract Growth and development behaviour of Helicoverpa armigera was studies on different host plants viz., pea pod, french bean, okra fruit, brinjal fruit and cauliflower curd. Observations on larval weight and pupal weight, percentage of pupation and adult emergence, fecundity and hatchability of eggs were recorded. Larval period was found shortest on cauliflower curd and longest on brinjal fruit. The pupal period was maximum on pea pod and minimum on cauliflower curd. Larger numbers of eggs were laid by the female which larvae were fed on pea pod. Lowest number of eggs was recorded on brinjal fruit. The highest percentage of egg hatching was noted on pea pod. The average life cycle was completed in 23.32, 25.15, 26.82, 27.22 and 27.93 days on cauliflower curd, okra fruit, french bean, brinjal fruit and pea pod, respectively. Maximum larval growth index (LGI) was recorded for okra fruit (5.07) and the minimum (3.75) for brinjal fruit, maximum pupal growth index (PGI) was recorded on cauliflower curd (9.70) and the minimum (7.78) on french bean and maximum developmental index (DI) (2.68) was recorded on okra fruit and the minimum (1.99) on brinjal fruit. Top Key words Biological Parameters, Helicoverpa armigera, Natural Host Plants. Top |