Impact of different host plants on growth and development of spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius)

The studies on comparative biology and biometrics carried out at controlled temperature of 27±1°C in laboratory indicated that significantly higher length (mm) of egg (0.64), 1st (3.18), 3rd (9.39), 4th (12.05) and 5th (16.23) instar larva, male (13.55) and female (13.64) pupa, male (11.81) and female (11.99) moth; significantly higher breadth (mm) of 1st (0.73), 2nd (0.88), 3nd (1.66), 4th (2.81) and 5th (3.56) instar larva and female moth (24.85); significantly higher width (mm) of head capsule in 1st (0.29), 2nd (0.39), 3rd (0.52), 4th (0.59) and 5th (0.66) instar larva; significantly shorter period (days) of egg (2.32), 1st (2.30), 3rd (2.75), 4th (2.75), 5th (2.60) instar larva; significantly shorter total larval (13.71 days), pre-pupal (1.59 days), pupal (5.36 days) and pre-oviposition (1.10 days) periods; Significantly longer oviposition periods (4.30 days) in the female and adult period (6.40 days) of mlile; significantly shorter total life cycle (29.36 days) of female and significantly higher fecundity (41.80 eggs) and growth index (5.71) were recorded in the culture of M. vitrata reared on cowpea [V. unguiculata (L.)] compared to green gram [V. radiata (L.)], black gram [V. mungo (L.)], pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.)] and Indian bean [Lablab purpureus (L.)]. Based on these parameters, it was concluded that cowpea is the most preferred host for growth and development of M. vitrata.