Consumption and utilization of leaves of Toona ciliata by the larvae of Eupterote undata (Lepidoptera: Eupterotidae)

AbstractThis research focuses on key growth and developmental parameters to assess the pest’s interaction with economically important tree species (T. ciliata). Present study employed several metrics, including Consumption Index (CI), Approximate Digestibility (AD), Growth Rate (GR), Efficiency of Conversion of Ingested Food (ECI) and Efficiency of Conversion of Digested Food (ECD). The results of these parameters offered valuable insights into the larval feeding behavior, growth rates, food utilization efficiency and can help in developing effective strategies to manage the pest.