Growth, development and reproduction of Leucania loreyi (Duponchel) on four host plants

Objective  To study the influences of four different host plants on the growth, development and reproduction of Leucania loreyi (Duponchel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Method  Under laboratory conditions of (24±1) ℃, (75±5)% relative humidity and 12 h light∶12 h dark photo period, the larvae of L. loreyi were fed on maize (Zea mays), rice (Oryza sativa), sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) and barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli) repectively. The development duration, survival rate, pupal weight and fecundity of L. loreyi were observed, and the life table parameters were calculated.

Result  The larva growth duration was the shortest when feeding on maize (20.18 d), and the longest when feeding on sugarcane (25.24 d). The survival rate from egg to pupa was the highest when feeding on maize (68%) and the lowest when feeding on barnyard grass (58%). The female pupa was the heaviest when feeding on maize (32.43 mg) and the lightest when feeding on barnyard grass (22.61 mg). The fecundity per female was the highest when feeding on maize (1 019.42 eggs) and the lowest when feeding on sugarcane (665.27 eggs). The intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) of L. loreyi was 0.13, 0.12, 0.10 and 0.10 when feeding on maize, rice, sugarcane and barnyard grass respectively, and the net reproduction rate (R₀) was 226.54, 211.48, 153.71 and 171.85 respectively.

Conclusion  Among the four host plants, maize is the optimal host plant for L. loreyi, followed by rice. Sugarcane and barnyard grass may serve as hosts or intermediate hosts.