Biology of Spotted Pod Borer, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) under Laboratory condition

Author: R.M. Patel, H.C. Patel, D.B. Sisodiya and R.K. Thumar

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Abstract

The laboratory investigation on biology of spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) on cowpea was carried out during the year 2021 at the Department of Agricultural Entomology, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. A female laid on an average 36.36 eggs singly or in batches on flower buds and tender pods with 3.2 days incubation period and 84 percent egg hatching. The larval development passed through five instar and completed within 13.24 days. Each larval instar of M. vitrata i.e., 1st to 5th instar took 1.52, 2.67, 2.76, 2.81 and 3.48 days, respectively. The pre-pupal and pupal stage completed within 1.43 and 7.95 days, respectively. The pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition period lasted for 2.0, 3.91 and 2.18 days, respectively. In case of adult stage of M. vitrata, sex ratio of male: female was 1: 1.10 with longevity of male and female was 5.10 and 8.09 days of male and female, respectively and growth index was 7.55. The total life span of male and female M. vitrata was completed within 29.82 and 32.36 days, respectively. The Apanteles taragamae larval parasitoids, which kill larvae and larvae feed inside the pods, are the main challenges of studying this pest, so when changing the food, be careful and critically observe all the pods before throwing them away.

Keywords

Biology, cowpea, instar, M. vitrata, spotted pod borer

Conclusion

The biology of spotted pod borer on cowpea during kharif season revealed that the total life cycle of spotted pod borer was completed in 29.82 and 32.36 days of male and female, respectively and the mean fecundity of this pest was recorded as 36.36 eggs per female. Moreover to this, the larval period is about 11 to 16 days, hence one can consider it as a weak point of the pest and control measures can be taken during this period.

References

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How to cite this article

R.M. Patel, H.C. Patel, D.B. Sisodiya and R.K. Thumar (2023). Biology of Spotted Pod Borer, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) under Laboratory condition. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(2): 574-579.