Effect of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), gut bacteria on host plant utilization behavior for its survival and fitness

Abstract

This study aims to exploring the potential relationship between the gut endosymbionts and plant utilization for the survival of insects. The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is a destructive pest of cruciferous crops. Here, we investigated the symbiotic and aposymbiotic P. xylostella fitness on various host plants. Developmental period of symbiotic and aposymbiotic P. xylostella were vary between the hosts. Fecundity was greatly influenced by different host plants. Maximum egg production was observed on symbiotic P. xylostella when reared on cauliflower (100.2 eggs). Whereas aposymbiotic population it was minimum (51.2 eggs). Our study suggests that endosymbiotic bacteria are the most important factor for P. xylostella survival. Result of fecundity directly related with the insect fitness and survival.