Developmental biology of brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee) on eggplant under laboratory conditions

Abstract

During the 2022 kharif, laboratory-based studies on the biology of the shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee in brinjal, were conducted at the Department of Entomology, S.K.N., College of Agriculture, SKNAU, Jobner (Rajasthan). Laboratory-based biological investigations of L. orbonalis on brinjal (Varieties “Pusa Purple Round”), the eggs were oval, flat, and cream-colored before hatching. They then turned pale orange with distinct black spots. The average fecundity was found to be 216.60 eggs. The mean of incubation period and longevity of larval stage (I-instar, II-instar, III-instar, IV-instar and V-instar), pupal and adult stage (male & female) were 3.90, 20.10 (4.20, 4.40, 4.10, 3.70 and 3.70), 6.80, 4.08, (3.67 & 4.50) days respectively. These results offer enough insight into insect biology to enable the implementation of appropriate control strategies.