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A Contribution to the Biology of Utetheisa pulchella Linn. (Lepid., Arctiidae) on Crotalaria burhea
Author(s) -
Pande Y. D.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
zeitschrift für angewandte entomologie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0044-2240
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0418.1972.tb02150.x
Subject(s) - biology , instar , fecundity , botany , overwintering , pupa , horticulture , larva , population , demography , sociology
Laboratory studies at 25 to 28° C were conducted on the biology of the sunnhemp hairy caterpillar, Utetheisa pulchella Linn., a serious pest of Crotalaria burhea. The latter is a leguminous, perennial weed and grows abundantly in arid and semi‐arid regions of Rajasthan and has several useful qualities. Mating started soon after emergence. Fecundity was 258 to 397 eggs per female. The incubation period lasted for 3 to 5 days. There were 5 larval instars which took 13 to 18 days after which it pupated on soil surface or in dry fallen leaves for 6 to 7 days. The adults were short‐lived. One complete life‐cycle took 22 to 30 days. The insect was active from March to October. During November to February the insect was found overwintering in the pupal stage. Zusammenfassung Beiträge zur Kenntnis von Utetheisa pulchella L. (Lepid., Arctiidae) auf der Leguminose Crotalaria burhea Laboruntersuchungen mit U. pulchella zeigten folgende Ergebnisse: Die Falter kopulierten bald nach dem Schlüpfen; die Eizahl betrug 258–397 pro Weibchen; die Entwicklung der Eier war in 3–5 Tagen beendet; 5 Raupenstadien wurden unterschieden, deren Gesamtentwicklung 13–18 Tage dauerte; die Verpuppung vollzog sich auf dem Boden oder in abgefallenen Blättern; die Imagines waren kurzlebig; ein Generationszyklus nahm 22–30 Tage in Anspruch. Der Schädling wurde in aktiver Form von März bis Oktober gefunden. Von November bis Februar überwintert er im Puppenstadium.