Influence of host plant on growth and reproduction of <i>Aphis nerii </i>and feeding and prey utilization of its predator <i>Menochilus sexmaculatus</i>

Abstract

Influence of different physiological stages (young, mature and senescent) of <i>Calotropis gigantea </i>leaves on growth and reproductive ability of <i>A. nerii </i>and feeding, prey utilization, fecundity and lipid content of its predator <i>M. sexmaculatus </i>were investigated. Increased reproductive period, total life span and reproduction of nymphs per female of <i>A. nerii </i>were observed when reared on mature leaves. This relative preference of <i>A. nerii </i>and maximum utilization of mature leaves as compared to other physiological aged leaves are mainly due to changes in the chemical composition such as protein, carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, nitrogen and phenolic of <i>C</i>. <i>gigantea. </i>Further, aphids reared on mature leaves influenced its predator's (<i>M. sexmaculatus</i>) growth, prey utilization and reproductive performances. Fecundity and longevity were high, while developmental time of predator was shorter on mature leaves fed aphid. Maximum prey utilization and increased efficiency of ingested

and digested food of predator was observed on mature leaves reared aphid. The results are interpreted and discussed in relation to plant aphid and predator interaction (tritrophic).