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The study evaluates the effect of feeding the third instar larvae of the coconut rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros L.(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) with leaf powders of Adathoda vasica (Acanthaceae) and Glyricidia maculata (Leguminosae).Control larvae were fed on sterilized and powdered cow dung while the experimental larvae were fed on a mixture of cow dung and leaf powder. Concentration of the leaf powder in the mixture was 1%. Both plants induced mortality in the larvae, prepupae, pupae and adults. Higher rate of mortality of the larvae and prepupae was induced by G.maculata while higher pupal and adult mortality rate was noticed in A.vasica fed group. Adults emerged from the larvae fed on the experimental diets revealed morphological deformities. Deformities were greater in the Glyricidia fed group. Malformations were more in the wings and legs. Exoskeletal deformities, distorted and prolapsed wings, vertically split elytra, melanization of the cuticle and wings and oozing out of haemolymph are the major deformities observed in the study. Fat body and ovarioles of a few experimental female beetles showed some abnormalities. Both plants are promising for the control of O. rhinoceros by causing mortality, disrupting development and also by causing deformities. The deformities observed in the study can result in abnormalities in vital activities like walking, flying and reproduction. The results direct towards the potential of the experimental diets to induce developmental deformities, metabolic abnormalities and reproductive aberrations in O.rhinoceros
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