STUDIES ON THE FOOD ATTRACTION OF EPILACHANA DODICASTIGMA (WIED.) (COLEOPTERA : COCCINELLIDAE) AGAINST DIFFERENT PLANTS

The present study explores the attraction of Epilachna dodecastigma (Weid.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) for the selected plants namely, petunia, ghia, torai, datura, makoi, brinjal, tomato, bottle gourd. 8-24 hr old first instar larvae of Epilachina dodecastigmawere able to discriminate among the tested plant in the similar way, as done by first instar larvae. These were not at all attracted by petunia and malkoi, The behavior of third and fourth instar larvae towards the tested plants, was found conspicuously different from that of the first two instars. All the four-instar larvae rejected Pitunia, but all the instar had maximum liking for Ghia Torai. Out of the 7 plants the unstarved fourth instar larvae accepted only 4 plants. Ghia Torai was most acceptable plant. Out of the 4 tested plants, only the starved fourth instar larvae accepted two at different durations. Pitunia and Rusbhery were not accepted at all the starved conditions. Bottle gourd, the least acceptable plant elicited, moderate feeding response in fourth instar larvae.