Doleschallia bisaltide (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) profile and oviposition preference on Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff.

Abstract

Doleschallia bisaltide Cramer (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is a main pest on Graptophyllum pictum (L.) Griff. in the Lepidopteran order, the first-instar larval performance is determined by adult oviposition. An adult oviposition preference can be used to determine the resistance level of some G. pictum accessions in early-stage breeding programs. The study aimed to identify the profile of D. bisaltide and its oviposition preferences on G. pictum accessions. The herbivore-host interaction was utilized as a guide to select cultivars resistant to D. bisaltide and identify repellent characteristics for the insect. The research was conducted at the Indonesian Spice and Medicinal Crops Research Institute (ISMCRI), using nested Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). G. pictum accessions nested on flight periods. The study revealed that insect mating occurred from dusk to night, while oviposition occurred the following morning. The adult mating was dominantly in the humid area, suggesting a potential population outbreak during the rainy season. The highest oviposition preference was observed for accessions with higher anthocyanin-to-chlorophyll content. In contrast, the lowest oviposition was recorded for accession 12 content of higher chlorophyll-to-anthocyanins. D. bisaltide oviposition preferences were influenced by leaf pigment, saponins, and the C/N ratio. Phytochemicals such as flavonoids and glycosides in G.pictum leaves acted as oviposition stimulants for specialists such as D. bisaltide.