Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON GROWTH AND CONSUMPTION OF LARVAE OF DANAUS CHRYSIPPUS

Chhaya Patel, Shilpa Mishra, Vibha Choubey, Parmita Dubey and Richa Tikariha

Abstract

Temperature plays major role in the food consumption and the development of phytophagous insects. The impact of temperature effect the development and feeding ecology of Danaus chrysippus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Danaidae) was studied under controlled laboratory conditions. The study revealed that the optimum range of temperature for the growth of the larvae is between 200 C -300 C. Both above and below this range the organic growth is hampered. The values of RGR, RCR, ECI are also the highest within these range.