Biology of spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) (Crambiade: Lepidoptera) on pigeonpea under laboratory conditions

Abstract

The present experiment was carried out in laboratory, Department of entomology, pant nagar to study the biology and morphometry of spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata on pigeonpea under laboratory condition during 2019-20. Egg incubation period continued upto 2.47±0.70 days. After hatching, the larvae undergone four moultings to reach the final larval instar. The total time duration required to complete larval stage was 2.85±0.39 days. Pupation was observed inside the webbed flowers, leaflets and immature pods. However, the pre pupation and pupation period continued up to 2.39±0.39, 3.31±0.51 days respectively. Mean adult longevity recorded was 7.67±0.91days. Total duration to complete all life stages by Maruca vitrata was 28.20±1.70 days. Mean number of eggs laid per female (fecundity) was 37.24±8.71. Average hatching percent from eggs was 80.34±7.02 per cent. Morphometric study revealed that, the mean diameter of egg was 0.29±0.03mm. Larval body length increased gradually with successive instars. Length of larval body from I-V instars ranged from 3.09±0.37-14.45±1.53 mm respectively. Similarly, the breadth of larval instar from I-V instars were 0.17±0.02-2.75±0.17mm respectively. Length and breadth of pre pupal and pupal stages were 12.85±1.10-11.74±0.35mm and 2.78±0.15- 2.87±0.07mm respectively. Mean wing expanse of adult was 13±0.74 mm in length and 9.5±0.52mm in breadth.