Influence of food plants on the consumption of folfage and pupal characters of Pericallia Ricini Fab. (Arctiidae: Lepidoptera)

Abstract

The influence of different food plants on the growth of the arctiid caterpillar Pericallia ricini is discussed. DJe to differences in the quality of the nutrients and the nutrient balance in the different food plants, the pupal periods of caterpillars feeding on the varied food plants differed significantly. The pupal weights and the mortality of larvae and pupae differed batween the insects feeding on the different food plants. An increased consumption of food by larvae of the later instars and by females than males was also observed.