Effect of host plant on growth, tissue proteins and gut enzymes of pink borer Sesamia inferens

Abstract

In this study, pink borer Sesamia inferens (Walker), a polyphagous insect and a major pest on millets is explored for analysing the influence of host plants on the growth, tissue proteins and midgut digestive enzymes of their larvae. The impact of feeding on different food plants on the activity of amylase, trehalase, and invertase in the midgut of the final instar larvae were assayed in vitro. The results showed that the larval feeding on the five millet hosts had significant effect on body mass, with maximum body mass being achieved when larvae fed on sorghum (0.214 g). Significantly more enzyme activity of amylase was observed in the larvae fed on finger millet. The activity of amylase, invertase and trehalase fed on pearl millet was relatively low. The results indicated that the larvae of S. inferens had more capability to utilize sorghum, finger millet and barnyard millet, suggesting that these plants could become their host plants