THE EFFECT OF LARVAL DIET ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SESAMIA-CALAMISTIS HAMPSON (LEPIDOPTERA, NOCTUIDAE) AND ELDANA-SACCHARINA WALKER(LEPIDOPTERA, PYRALIDAE)

Sesamia calamistis Hampson and Eldana saccharina Walker larvae were re ared at 25-degrees-C on pieces of stem from five indigenous African gr asses. All rive, Andropogon sp., Panicum maximum Jacq., Pennisetum pol ystachion (L.) Schult., P. purpureum L. and Sorghum arundinaceum (Desv .) Stapf. have been reported as host plants for one or both species. L arval survival, larval and pupal period and pupal weight were recorded and compared to values of these parameters for larvae reared on stems of maize and on artificial diet. S. calamistis larval survival was le ss than 10% on each grass species compared to 95% on artificial diet a nd 30% on maize stems. Larval period was similar on maize and the gras ses, but was 50% faster on artiricial diet. Pupal periods were similar for larvae reared on grasses, maize and artificial diet. Pupal weight s were highest for larvae reared on artificial diet, followed by maize and then grasses. E. saccharina larval survival was less than 5% on e ach grass species compared to 60% on artificial diet and 19% on maize stem. Larval development was 25% faster on artificial diet than on mai ze or grasses. Larvae reared on grasses, maize and artificial diet had similar pupal periods. Pupal weights were lowest on grasses and highe st on artificial diet.