Preferential Role of Food Plants on the Development of Acrida Exaltata Walker

An experiment was designed to test various food plants on the success and the rate of development of various stages of Acrida exaltata Wlk. The plants found in the habitat were identified, listed and tested in the laboratory for their effect on the development. It was found that Brassica oleracea var. botrytis was most preferred with minimum developmental period of 33.20days in males and 38.40 days in females while Saccharum officinarum prolonged the developmental period with the maximum development of 79.30 days in males and 88.50 days in females. Similarly, percentage development of hoppers/day was maximum at 3.03 in males and 2.64 in females, while feeding on Brassica oleracea var. botrytis and it was minimum when fed on Saccharum officinarum.