Biology of Eutectona machaeralis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Tectona grandis L. (Lamiaceae)” from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

The present study was carried out on the biology of the teak skeletonizer, Eutectona machaeralis Walker. The female moth placed spherical, transparent, greenish-white eggs on the underside of the leaves, close to the midrib, either alone or in clusters. The female produced 250 to 300 eggs (272.2 ± 26.35). The hatching rate of eggs ranged from 70 to 80%, with an average of 74.15 ± 5.60. The oviposition period was recorded as 4 to 5 days, with an average of 4.21±0.59 days. The eggs were measured from 0.25 to 0.31 mm in diameter, with an average of 0.28 ± 0.04 mm in diameter. The hatching percentage of the eggs varied from 70 to 80%, with an average of 74.15 ± 5.60. First, second, third, fourth, and fifth instar larvae were measured at 2.09 ± 0.23, 7.51 ± 1.14, 11.62 ± 1.66, 17.64 ± 1.79, and 24.41 ± 1.05 mm in length and 0.27 ± 0.02, 0.98 ± 0.13, 1.31 ± 0.26, 1.73 ± 0.31, and 2.15 ± 0.16 mm in width, respectively. The prepupa measured 17.58 ± 2.72 mm in length and 2.86 ± 0.83 mm in width, having a duration of 1 to 2 (1.63 ± 0.71) days. The male pupa measured 11.57 ± 1.12 mm long and 2.75 ± 0.34 mm wide, having a duration of 6.31 ± 0.41 days, whereas the female pupa was 14.40 ± 0.62 mm long and 3.50 ± 0.41 mm wide with an almost similar duration to the male pupa. The male moth measured 11.68 ±0.64 mm in length, 1.96±0.39 mm in width, and 24.40 ±1.10 mm in wing expanse. The female was 9.72 ±0.63 mm in length and 2.92 ±0.41 mm in width with a wingspan of 19.48 ±1.11 mm. The average duration of larval stages was 13.51 ± 0.99 days. The female's pre-oviposition, oviposition, and post-oviposition periods were 3.25±0.58, 4.21±0.59, and 2.43±0.61 days, respectively. Males and females completed their life cycles in 31.6±1.63 and 33.9±4.45 days, respectively.