Abstract
Feeding responses of Earias fabia larvae to various plants and the factors involved were studied to understand differences in the degree of their infestation. The fruits of Abelmoschus esculentus, Gossypium hirsutum, Urena lobata and the inflorescence of Brassica oleracea botrytis elicited higher feeding responses than the fruits of althaea rosea and Zea mays. There was hardly any response to the fruits of Pisum sativum, Solanum melongena and Citrullus vulgaris fistulosus.The factors which influenced feeding were certain physical and chemical characters of the plants. The moisture content and texture of a substrate influenced the feeding responses of the insect. The chemical constituents in the test parts of malvaceous plants, the developing seeds of Z. mays, the fruit of C. vulgaris fistulosus and the inflorescence of B. oleracea botrytis favoured feeding whereas those in the fruits of P. sativum and S. melongena inhibited it.The essential oils, steroids and terpenoids in the developing seeds of A. esculentus and G. hirsutum acted synergistically and the sugars and amino acids therein had an additive effect in eliciting high feeding responses of E. fabia larvae. The interaction of these factors affected the extent of infestation of different plants by the insect.
