Effects of different brassicaceous host plants on the fitness of Pieris brassicae (L.)

► The effect of various host plants on the fitness of Pieris brassicae was evaluated by studying development time, survival and mortality on various host plants under laboratory conditions. ► The developmental time from egg to adult eclosion was the shortest on cabbage and the longest on radish. adult longevity was maximum on cabbage compared with the other host plants tested. ► Developmental rate was faster on cabbage than other host plants. However, the lowest immature mortality was evident on cabbage and highest on mustard and radish. ► The higher intrinsic rate of natural increase was found on cabbage. So, in this way it can be concluded that cabbage is likely be the most suitable host for P. brassicae.