S14 - Session P5 - Preference of Epilachna chrysomelina on five vegetable hosts and Phytochemical analysis of the host plants

Authors: Adekemi Shokalu *, Oluwakemi Akinkunmi, Olufemi Pitan, Henry Akinwumi Akintoye

Host preference of Epilachna chrysomelina was determined on five vegetable hosts in the field and laboratory at the National Horticultural Research Institute Ibadan, Nigeria. In the study, the order of preference of the host by the beetle was: cucumber > egusi-melon > water-melon > pumpkin > garden-egg. Phytochemical analysis of the host leaves exhibited the presence of flavonoids, phenol, oxalates, saponins and tannin in considerable quantity. These secondary metabolites were significantly lower in cucumber relative to other hosts used in the study and were negatively correlated with beetle density except phenol which was lowest in garden-egg than other hosts and had positive correlation with the beetle density. The presence of the secondary metabolites in low quantity in cucumber indicates that the metabolites contributed to the preference of the beetle for cucumber and the non-preference for garden egg.