Laboratory evaluation of food consumption, food utilization, weight gain, development, fecundity and egg-hatchability were made from the beginning of the first instar to sixth instar on castor, groundnut, Indian bean, jute, sesame and sunflower. Total food consumption was highest on castor and lowest on jute. Development was fastest on castor, and castor was most efficiently digested followed by sunflower, sesame, groundnut, Indian bean and jute. Consumption index and digestive efficiency on all host plants declined with larval age. Digested portion of jute was most efficiently converted into body matter. Variations in fecundity and egg-hatchability for different host plants were statistically significant at P = 0.01. The differences in these parameters may be due to the variations in the nutritional quality of the hosts.
