Piyush Sharma, M.K. Mahla, S. Ramesh Babu, Virender Singh, Pokhar Rawal, Abhay Dashora and Rishi Raj Singh Chundawat
Abstract
The present investigation revealed that the eggs of Earias vittella hatched within 3.33 ± 0.74 days under laboratory conditions. The larval development of E. vittella comprised four distinct instars, with mean durations of 2.12 ± 0.72, 1.41 ± 0.50, 2.26 ± 0.73 and 3.12 ± 1.02 days, respectively, resulting in a total larval period of 9.11 ± 1.69 days. The pupal period ranges from 7.51 ± 0.50 days in females and 7.90 ± 0.90 days in males. A pre-oviposition period of 1.50 ± 0.68 days, an oviposition period of 5.00 ± 1.31 days and a post oviposition period of 4.30 ± 1.53 days was observed. Adult longevity was 10.48 ± 2.62 days for females and 8.70 ± 1.09 days for males. The life cycle of E. vittella was completed in 31.84 ± 5.52 days in females and 30.45 ± 6.00 days in males. The fecundity of E. vittella was recorded as 263.50 ± 84.75 eggs per female. The eggs measured 0.51 ± 0.02 mm in length and 0.46 ± 0.02 mm in breadth. The first, second, third and fourth instar larvae measured 1.77 ± 0.26 mm, 2.60 ± 0.38 mm, 6.44 ± 0.54 and 14.15 ± 2.14 mm in length and 0.27 ± 0.03 mm, 0.36 ± 0.08 mm, 1.26 ± 0.07 mm and 3.25 ± 0.53 mm in breadth, respectively. The length and breadth of male and female pupa recorded was 9.72 ± 0.44 mm and 3.12 ± 0.29 mm, 10.12 ± 0.67 mm and 3.40 ± 0.07 mm, respectively. The body length and wing span (breadth) of the male adult was 9.11 ± 0.43 mm and 20.02 ± 0.96 mm. The female adults measured 10.69 ± 1.12 and 22.11 ± 1.46 mm in length and breadth, respectively