1Department of Life Sciences, Manipur University, Canchipur - 795003
Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam - 781014
*E-mail: devika_kh@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 25 September, 2013.
The influence of prey densities of Aphis craccivora Koch on the developmental parameters viz., predation, developmental duration, larval weight, relative growth rate, and food conversion efficiency of Coelophora saucia (Mulsant) larvae were studied in the laboratory. Total aphid consumed, larval weight, relative growth rate increased with increase in prey density and was maximum at the density of 60 aphids/day. Developmental duration was inversely proportional with the number of aphids consumed. With longest being 5 aphids/day density and shortest at 60 aphids/day. Food conversion efficiency of the larvae was maximum at the low density of 5 aphids/day.
Coelophora saucia, prey density, larval development, growth rate
