Influence of three host plants on the development, fertility and fecundity of the grasshopper, Poecilocerus bmtonius [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The grasshopper, Poecilocerus pictus eject a defensive fluid as an escape measme against the attack of predators (SreenivasuJu et ai, 1996). For this reason, the grasshopper, PoeciJocerus bmtonius is more attracted to Calotropis procera plants for accepting its chemical defensive fluid (cardenolides). using it as a chemical defense against natural enemies. Plants use cardenolides against natural enemies including many herbivorous animals, parasites and pathogens (Harhom, 1988). The highest percentage of Schistocerca gregoria egg hatch was recorded from parents feeding on Chrozophora penniselum, while no egg hatch occurred when parents were fed on Sorghum plants. Maturation of S. gregoria are adversely affected by feeding on Tribulus , Sorgum and Dipterygium (Jackson et al , 1972). But Rao (1960) fOWld that Tribulus terrestris allowed rapid maturation. The importance of the various components of host plant in an insect's diet can be determined by assessing nymph growth rate and food utilization (Mattson. 1980 and Slansky and Wheeler, 1991). Rearing the grasshopper, Euprepocnemis plorans on lupine and horse bean caused significant reduction in fertility and ovariole yield of its :first and second pods compared with those reared on clover (Elsayed, (998). The objective of the present study is to determine the effects of feeding foliages of the two host pJants, Zygophyl/ulJl simplex and Pulicaria crisp" on th~ reproduction of this grasshopper and evaluate its inf.uence when the main host ,c. procera is absent.

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