Host preference and survivability of Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister, 1835) on Off season crops

Studies were conducted in vivo and in vitro to determine host preference and survivability of Bagrada hilaris on five off season host crops viz. carrot grass (Parthenium hysterophorus), ber (Ziziphus zuzuba), lambsquarters (Chenopodium album), arrow wood (Pluchea lanceolata) and milk weed (Calotropis procera). The average number of nymph and adult was counted 312.0, 56.0, 237.2, 43.2 and 53.80, respectively at 15 days after harvest of mustard crop. The number of nymphs and adults on carrot grass was significantly different from other host crops except ber. The maximum number of adults were attracted on different hosts in Olfactometer toward the cabbage (Brassica oleracia var. capitata) crop which was significantly different as compare to other crops. The survivability (in days) of second instar nymph of B. hilaris was recorded maximum on cabbage (12.00) followed by ber (10.33), carrot grass (10.33), milk weed (9.33), arrow weed (5.33) and lambs quarters (5.00), respectively.