EFFECTS OF FEEDING SENESCENT FLOWER OF HIBISCUS ROSASINENSIS ON FOOD UTILIZATION IN MYLABRIS INDICA (COLEOPTERA : MELOIDAE)
N. KRISHNAN *
PG-DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, MADURA COLLEGE, MADURAI - 625 011, INDIA
T. R. SUJATHA *
PG-DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, MADURA COLLEGE, MADURAI - 625 011, INDIA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Food utilization indices of Mylabris indica (150 - 152 mg/live wt) were estimated on normal as well as senescent flowers of Hibiscus rosasinensis for 25 days at 29 + 1°C and 70% RH. for both sexes. Quantitative variations have been encountered in between two sexes in utilizing the normal flower. Consumption, egestion and metabolism were increased in both sexes on senescent flower. The approximate digestibility (AD), gross (ECI) and net (ECD) conversion efficiencies were declined on senescent flower. These estimated variations were interpretated as a function of flower age and sex.