Abstract

The effects of four cabbage crops including: white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var . capitata f. Alba), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var . Viridis  f. Rubra) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) on nutritional indices of Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) were determined at 26 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. Nutritional indices of third  to fifth larval instars indicated that, B. oleracea. Var. Capitata is more nutritionally rich food and even small amount of this food could successfully support maximum value of efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) (14.764 ± 0.500%) and efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) (14.713 ± 0.600%) among the Brassicae spices. The lowest values of these parameters were found on B. O. Var. Botrytis spices. The results indicate that, B. O. Var. Capitata spices  was the most nutritive and as a partially susceptible varieties among cabbage crops, in due to the highest value of FP (0.055 ± .008 g) ECI and ECD, in conversely, B. O. Var. Botrytis variety were recorded as partially resistant and the least nutritive for P. brassicae, this is due to the fact that the least value of relative growth rate (RGR), ECI, ECD and FP were recorded.

Key words: Nutritional indices, Pieris brassicae, food consumption, resistance, biomass.