Review on life-table studies of pests with reference to mulberry (Morus spp.) and silkworm (Bombyx mori L.)

Abstract

Life-table is a condensed tabulation of the essential information pertaining to the schedule of mortality for a known cohort of individuals. These tables record a series of sequential measurements that reveal population change throughout the life-cycle of a species in its natural environment. Life-tables are very useful, from a pest management standpoint, to know when and why a pest population suffers high mortality. By knowing such vulnerable stages from life-table, it is possible to make time based application of control measures for the management of insect pests, to conserve the natural parasites and predators and to reduce the environmental pollution.