Phagostimulant Property of a Weed, Euphorbia elegans L. Against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on Chickpea

Abstract

During the course of investigation on evaluation of a weed, Euphorbia elegans L. (Family : Euphorbiaceae) for its insecticidal properties against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), it was found that the chickpea leaves treated with seed oil of this weed exhibited more feeding of the test insect. With this phenomenon, an attempt has been made to study the phagostimulatory behaviour of H. armigera to leaf extract and seed oil of this spurge. Helicoverpa larvae exhibited more phagostimulatory behaviour on the seed oil than on leaf extract treated leaves. Late instar larvae responded more than early instar larvae. Euphorbia elegans acted as a phagostimulant to this pest, marking the first record of H. armigera phagostimulant.