Effect of Mustard Cake on the Development of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)

Experiments on growth and development of H. armigera were conducted by feeding the neonate larvae on semi-synthetic diet containing the mustard cake powder/neem oil/neem cake at 5% level (w/w). Significant differences with respect to larval developmental period and weights were observed in the larvae fed on the diet containing mustard cake powder. The larval weight on 7th day was 4.5, 2.3 and 6.3 mg with mustard cake powder, neem oil and neem cake treatment, respectively, as against 110 mg in control. The larval period also extended to 28 days with mustard cake powder compared to 16 days in control. No significant mortality was observed in mustard powder as compared to neem oil and cake at larval stage. However, mortality counts were significant at pupal stage.