Relative Performance of Spilarctia obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) on Certain Plants of Labiatae

Three plants of mint family viz., Mentha viridis, Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum sanctum were evaluated for their effects on growth, development, nutrition and reproduction of Spilarctia obliqua Walker. O. sanctum caused cent per cent mortality within 5 days of the larval period. The toxic factor causing mortality on this plant may be employed for the control of the insect. However, M. viridis and O. basilicum supported the development but they depressed larval survival remarkably; the latter caused 85% mortality. The larval period (21.30 to 30.78 days), pupal period (9.53 to 12.14 days) and emergence (70.37 to 77.78%) were affected significantly by them (P<. 05) and these were dependant on growth supporting capacity of these plants.