Growth, nutritional indices and digestive enzymes of Hyposidra infixaria Walker (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) on artificial and natural (tea) diets
Abstract In Darjeeling Terai-Dooars, looper stage of Hyposidra infixaria is often causing heavy damage to tea crop as key pest. Therefore for conducting experiment related to its control, rearing on artificial diet becomes an imperative. H. infixaria showed better survival on modified artificial diet of its congener H. talaca than on tea-leaves used as natural diet. Shorter life-cycle, superior developmental traits, higher fecundity and better food utilization capability indicated suitability of the artificial diet. Activity of midgut amylase, protease and lipase of loopers provided suitable hint for formulating balanced artificial diet that supported its normal growth and development. This first attempt of rearing of the pest species (H. infixaria) through three consecutive generations on artificial diet could be useful in mass production of disease-free specimen for the purpose of research and development activity related to tea plant protection and industrial-level production of bioagents.