EFFECT OF FEEDING REGIMES ON REPRODUCTION IN MYLABRIS PUSTULATA (COLEOPTERA : MELOIDAE)
N. KRISHNAN *
ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH LABORATORY, THIAGARAJAR COLLEGE, MADURAI-625009, INDIA.
G. JEYAKUMAR *
ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH LABORATORY, THIAGARAJAR COLLEGE, MADURAI-625009, INDIA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Effect of differentfeeding regimes (3,6, 12 and 24hrs/day) oncertain reproductive indices of Mylabris pustulata under laboratory conditions with reference to the flowers of two weed hosts, Ipomoea cornea and I. tuberosa was studied. The ovarian dry weight, total dry weight of a single batch of eggs and total body dry weight were positively correlated with feeding durations. A reduction in the body and ovarian dry weight ratio also observed at lower feeding regimes. The possible interaction between the feeding duration and allocation of energy to reproduction is also discussed.