Behavioural responses of Adisura atkinsoni Moore to the host plant, Lablab niger Medick, extract

Abstract

The behavioural responses of Adisura larvae to different concentrations of the Lablab niger plant extract was tested under laboratory conditions. The concentrated plant extract did not elicit positive response from Adisura larvae. The first instar Adisura larvae preferred 10% concentration of the extract over higher concentrations (i.e. > 10%). First instar Adisura larvae were found more sensitive in discriminating non-host from the host than last instar larvae. Adisura gravid females laid no eggs on blackgram, cowpea, broadbean, redgram and PLS-24, a field bean (L. niger) variety. This study suggests that redgram, cowpea, broadbean, blackgram and soybean are not the primary hosts of A. atkinsoni.