Bioecology of castor capsul borer (Conogethes punctiferalis Guen.), in South West Haryana

Abstract

Castor (Ricinus communis L) is one of the ancient oilseed crops grown in India. The castor capsule borer C. punctiferalis, (Guen.), recorded as most important pest of castor because it influence the quality as well as quantity of the seeds by feeding upon the castor capsules and destroying the internal seed. The egg of castor capsule borer was found singly or in groups of 4 to 7 on the inflorescence and surface of capsules. The incubation period varied from 4.0 to 5.0 days in different generations. The caterpillar moulted four times before pupation leading to five larval instars. The total larval period ranged from 15.0-20.0 days with an average of 17.5±2.07 days. The temperature ranged from 29.7 to 36.7 oC and relative humidity 71.0 to 85.0 percent during the larval period. The pupal period ranged from 9.0 to 11.0 days (mean 10.25±1.00 days). The male moth was smaller than female, male survived for 5.0 to 6.0 days and female survived for 6.0 to 7.0 days. The sex ratio of male and female was 1:1.2 in field conditions. The duration of life cycle in case of male was 34.00 to 73.00 days and in case of female 35.0 to 76.0 days in different generations.