Abstract
Latex of various parts of the Usher milk-weed, Calotropis procera (Ait.) were monthly collected during the period of 5 August, 1990 to 1 August, 1991 and 19 November, 1992 to 15 July 1993, together with male and female usherhopper, Poekilocerus bufonius Klug, during December, 1992 to June, 1993 for the assessment of the total cardiac glycosides (CGs) of the tissues of both plant and insects. The CGs content of the latex of various plant parts varied according to the time of the day and season. It was highest in winter-spring (mean temperature: 35 degree C), when large number of many species of insects feed on the plant, and lowest in summer (mean temperature: 43 degree C), when the number of insects feeding on the plant was meagre. Seasonal variation was also evident in various tissues of the insect. Generally, the CGs content was higher in female tissues than in those of the male. The hind wings of both sexes had the highest CGs content and the heads, the lowest. It was concluded that, the usherhopper sequesters and utilizes CGs as deterant against its enemies.