Biology of til hawk moth, Acherontia styx at Raipur, C.G.

Abstract

Present study was carried out in the laboratory at Department of Entomology IGKV, Raipur (C.G.) during 2018. The eggs of til hawk moth, Acherontia styx are spherical in shape and yellowish green in colour. The eggs were laid singly on upper surface of leaves. It turns into orange before hatching. Egg period lasts for 3 - 5 days with an average of 4.66 days. The total larval period completed in 17-22 days with an average of 19.50 days. Posterior portion of the pupa was narrow in the male and broad in the female. The genital opening in female pupa was present on the 8th abdominal segment while it was present on the 9th segment in case of male pupa. The total pupal duration ranged between 17-26 days with an average of 21.66 days. The adult female period was 2-3 days and male period was 3-5 days, respectively with an average of 2.50 days and 4.50 days.