Life table parameters and digestive enzyme activities in Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esper) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) fed on some commercial cultivars of tomato

Abstract

Effects of six commercial tomato cultivars, Super Strain B, Super crystal, Hed rio grande, SUN 6108 f1, Rio grande UG and Cal.JN3 were determined on digestive physiology and life table parameters of Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esper). The highest values of consumed foods were determined in the larvae fed on Rio grande UG and Cal.JN3 while the lowest values were observed on SUN 6108 f1. Statistical difference was found in the pupal weight by the highest value on SUN 6108f1. The highest values of intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and the net reproductive rate (R0) were obtained on SUN 6108 f1 but the lowest values were obtained on Cal.JN3. Significant differences were also found in activities of digestive enzymes including specific proteases, α-amylase, glucosidases and TAG-lipase. Our findings showed that the highest and the lowest activities of specific proteases and TAG lipase were obtained on Rio grande UG and SUN 6108 f1, respectively. In addition, activities of the carbohydrases were the highest in the larvae fed on Cal.JN3. The demographical and physiological findings here revealed Cal.JN3 and Rio grande UG as the partially unsuitable cultivars for C. chalcites in comparison with other ones which may be recommended in integrated pest management.