HOST-INDUCED AUGMENTED REPRODUCTION IN SPOTTED BOLLWORM, EARIAS-VITTELLA (FABRICIUS) (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE)

Mating and oviposition of Earias vittella was studied in the absence o r presence of the host (okra fruit) or the host odour. When the host w as accessible, there was a significant increase in the frequency of co pulation, the number of spermatophores transferred and the number of e ggs oviposited. Availability of host odour, instead of the host, gave similar results. Further, in general, the number of eggs oviposited by a female was significantly correlated with its mating frequency.