COMPARATIVE EGG PRODUCTION OF MYLABRIS PUSTULATA THUNB. (COLEOPTERA : MELOIDAE) ON FLOWER BUDS OF CONVOLVULACEOUS HOSTS
N. KRISHNAN *
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, MADURA COLLEGE, MADURAI - 625011, INDIA.
S. DINAKARAN *
ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH LAB, THIAGARAJAR COLLEGE, MADURAI - 625009, INDIA.
G. JEYAKUMAR *
ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH LAB, THIAGARAJAR COLLEGE, MADURAI - 625009, INDIA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Impacts of flower buds of two convolvulaceous food plants (Ipomoea cornea and Ipomoea tuberosa) on egg production by Mylabrispustulata Thunbis investigated. Maximum egg production is noticed in females fedon flowers and buds of I. corneathan those fedon I tuberosa. Egg production is significantly declined in females fed on the flowerbuds of both host plants.