Abstract: 【Aim】 To clarify the growth, development, survival and reproduction characteristics of the jackfruit pest Diaphania caesalis, on different plants and to ascertain its growth and development, and reproductive fitness on different plants. 【Methods】 The life history parameters of D. caesalis reared on leaves of four plants including Artocarpus heterophyllus, A. integer, A. altilis, and Ficus auriculata were determined by indoor breeding observation and constructing age-stage, two-sex life table. 【Results】 D. caesalis could complete its lifecycle when reared on leaves of these four plants. The larval survival rate and number of eggs laid per female adult of D. caesalis reared on A. heterophyllus leaves were significantly higher than those on leaves of the other three plants. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) and net reproductive rate (R₀) of D. caesalis reared on A. heterophyllus leaves were 0.100 d^-1and 38.72, respectively, being higher than those reared on leaves of A. integer (0.056 d^-1 and 8.52, respectively), A. altilis (0.054 d^-1 and 8.14, respectively), and F. auriculata (0.074 d^-1 and 14.82, respectively). 【Conclusion】 D. caesalis reared on leaves of A. heterophyllus has higher population growth ability than those reared on leaves of the other three plants. Reared on these four plants, D. caesalis can grow and reproduce normally, but the fitness of D. caesalis reared on its favorite host plant A. heterophyllus is the highest. D. caesalis also shows certain fitness to F. auriculata, and relatively low fitness to A. integer and A. altilis.

Key words: Diaphania caesalis, host plant, growth and development, population parameter, two-sex life table