Influence of parasitism byEucelatoria bryani [Dip.: Tachinidae] on the consumption and utilisation of chickpea flour diet byHeliothis armigera [Lep.: Noctuidae]

Fourth and 5th instar larvae ofHeliothis armigera (Hübner) parasitised byEucelatoria bryani Sabrosky consumed significantly less chickpea flour diet than unparasitised larvae of the same age in the laboratory. Significant reduction in diet consumption, larval weight gain and frass produced at 24 and 48 h following parasitisation was observed in 5th instar host larvae. Parasitised larvae retained a greater percentage of food ingested (AD) than did the unparasitised ones. Unparasitised 5th instar larvae ofH. armigera were more efficient in converting the ingested food (ECI) and digested food (ECD) into body substance than larvae of similar age parasitised byE. bryani.