Variation in nutritional behaviour of hairy caterpillars, Diacrisia obliqua (Wlk.) (Arctiidae) and Lymantria marginata Wlk. (Lymantriidae).
Goel S. C., Kumar A., Singh J.
Author Affiliation: Dep. Zool., Sanatan Dharm College, Muzaffarnagar 251?001, India.
Uttar Pradesh Journal of Zoology 6 : 215-223
Abstract : Laboratory observations in India indicated that Diacrisia obliqua [Spilosoma obliqua] (on sunflower) was diurnal in its feeding behaviour while Lymantria marginata (on mango) was nocturnal. The quantity of foliage consumed by S. obliqua increased from dawn to dusk, while the maximum amount was consumed by L. marginata 4 h before sunrise. Regression analysis of the leaf area consumed indicated that predicted unit injury level could be used as a possible basis for application of control measures. The parameters of consumption, assimilation and approximate digestibility were higher for S. obliqua than for L. marginata, while conversion efficiencies were higher and respiration coefficients were lower in L. marginata.