Biology of the common banded awl, Hasora chromus Cramer (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) on Pongamia pinnata at Bengaluru

Abstract

Studies on the biology of the common banded awl, Hasora chromus on Pongamia pinnata conducted under laboratory conditions at UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, revealed that the eggs are laid singly or in small groups of 2-3 on young shoots and staple of the leaves or on the margin of the upper surface of young leaves. The eggs are bun shaped with ridges running from top to base measuring 58.25μm in diameter. Base of the eggs are flattened providing surface for attaching to the substratum. The neonate larvae measured about 1.5 to 2 mm in length and 0.5 to 1 mm in width and after completing five instars, grew to a maximum average size of 32 to 35 mm long and 3 to 4 mm wide. Pre-pupal stage noticed prior to pupation in which the full grown caterpillar stopped feeding and their body shortened, shrinked and decolorized and attached itself to the rolled leaf by a silken thread to seal the pupation shelter. It is pale greenish with yellowish brown coloured head having a number of short setae. Pre-pupal period lasted for 0.64 to 1.76 days. Chrysalis type pupation took place inside the folded leaves. Pupa is naked and attached itself to the leaf surface by silk threads and remained inside the rolled leaf. The average pupal period observed to be of 1.2 ± 0.56 days. The adult female wing expanse ranged between 3.00 to 55.00 mm, with a mean length of 26 .00 ± 29.00 mm, the adult male wing expanse ranged between 2.00 to 50.00 mm, with a mean length of 24.00 ± 26.00 mm. The wings of male butterfly are unmarked and female butterfly had two spots on both side of the fore wings and horizontal white band present in both sexes on a lower side of hind wings.