Comparative performance and digestive physiology ofDiaphania indica(Lepidoptera: Crambidae) onTrichosanthes anguina(Cucurbitaceae) cultivars

Abstract

Diaphania indica (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is an important phytophagous pest of Trichosanthes anguina L. in India. We studied life table parameters by age-stage, two-sex, amylolytic and proteolytic activities, and food utilization parameters of D. indica on the leaves of three T. anguina cultivars (Baruipur Long, Polo No. 1 and MNSR-1). Further, nutrients (total carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, amino acids and nitrogen) and antinutrients (total phenols, flavonols and tannins) in leaves were determined. The development time (egg to adult emergence) was the shortest on MNSR-1 (19.79 d) and the longest on Polo No. 1 (25.72 d). Fecundity was the highest and lowest on MNSR-1 (259 eggs) and Polo No. 1 (151.22 eggs), respectively. The lowest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and net reproductive rate (R0) of D. indica on Polo No. 1 were 0.1112 d−1 and 27.22 offspring individual−1, respectively. The mean generation time (T) was the shortest on MNSR-1 (23.99 days) and the longest on Polo No. 1 (29.70 d). The larvae of D. indica fed with MNSR-1 had the highest level of amylolytic and proteolytic activities, and the lowest activities were in the larvae fed with Polo No. 1. The fifth-instar larvae fed with Polo No. 1 had the lowest consumption index and growth rate. The higher larval development time and lower fecundity of D. indica on Polo No. 1 were due to the lower level of nutrients and a higher level of antinutrients than other cultivars. Our results concluded that Polo No. 1 cultivar could be suggested for cultivation.

Multiple Stressors in Vegetable Production: Insights for Trait-Based Crop Improvement in Cucurbits

“…The pests include those affecting cucurbits worldwide as well as those which are more pronounced in certain regions of the globe, where they attain the status of primary pests. Cucumber moth, Diaphania indica , is a potentially damaging pest of cucurbitaceous vegetables worldwide ( Chintha et al, 2002 ; Kinjo and Arakaki, 2002 ; Hosseinzade et al, 2014 ; Dai et al, 2018 ; Jalali et al, 2019 ; Capinera, 2020 ; Debnath et al, 2020 ; Khanzada et al, 2021 ). The attractiveness of cucurbitaceous host plants for D. indica was observed to depend on the species and condition of the plant (uninfested and infested), and sex, mating status and experience of the insect.…”

Semiochemicals from Trichosanthes anguina (Cucurbitaceae) plants influence behavior in Diaphania indica

“…21 This insect is also a serious pest of snake gourd in India and Sri Lanka. 23,24 The larvae are primarily voracious leaf feeders but they also feed on flowers, new tender shoots, and young and mature fruits. 25 The caterpillar goes through five instars on T. anguina leaves and takes from 9 to 12 days to become a pupa, and 8-10 days are required to complete pupation.…”

“…25 The caterpillar goes through five instars on T. anguina leaves and takes from 9 to 12 days to become a pupa, and 8-10 days are required to complete pupation. 24 The longevity of the adult males and females ranges from 6 to 8 and 9 to 10 days, respectively. 24 Currently control of D. indica is mainly based on applications of synthetic insecticides (Chlorantraniliprole, Imidacloprid, Spiromesifen, Thiodicarb, Dichlorovos, Spinosad, etc.)…”

“…24 The longevity of the adult males and females ranges from 6 to 8 and 9 to 10 days, respectively. 24 Currently control of D. indica is mainly based on applications of synthetic insecticides (Chlorantraniliprole, Imidacloprid, Spiromesifen, Thiodicarb, Dichlorovos, Spinosad, etc.) 25 but concern about insecticide resistance, harmful effects on beneficial species and environmental impacts now need the development of alternative strategies to control D. indica.…”

Seasonal dynamics of Diaphania indica (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on ridge gourd

“…The field biology of this pest was studied in South Korea (Choi et al 2003), Yemen (Angood and Angood 1979) [1] , and China (Ke et al, 1988) [11] . Various aspects of the biology and natural enemies of this pest were studied by Ganehiarachchi (1997) [7] [8,4,9,2,5,12] . The first time the studies were conducted on the endoparasitoid, Apanteles taragamae Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to determine its biology on Diaphania indica (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) by Peter and David (1992) [15] .…”