Consumption and Coefficient of Utilization of Different Host Plants by Mythimna separata Walk

Abstract

Leaves of 54 host plants were provided as feed to 4th instar larvae of Mythimna separata (Walk.). Sorghum, maize, rice and ‘khabbal’ grass were consumed the maximum levels, followed by sugarcane and deela. Maximum coefficient of utilization values were recorded in sugarcane, maize, and rice followed by ‘khabbal’ grass, ‘baru’ grass and sorghum. The least preferred host plants were ‘Aksin’, ‘desi’ sarson, ‘dib’, ‘lehli’, jute and ground nut which were consumed at minimum levels while cotton, gourd, methi, onion, spinach, ‘ak’, ‘aksin’, ‘datura’, ‘jangli spinach’, ‘korbooti’, water grass, mash, mung and gram were utilized the least. No plants were found to be completely immune to M. separata.