Biology of Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilarctiaobliqua Walker (Erebidae: Lepidoptera) underlaboratory condition on sunflower

Abstract

Investigations on the biology of Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilarctiaobliqua Walker were undertaken at the University of AgriculturalSciences, Dharwad during kharif, 2018 under laboratoryconditions. A single gravid female laid on an average 810 eggs.The incubation, larval and pupal period were recorded at 4-6.50, 22-25 and 10-12.50 days, respectively. The longevity ofadult ranged from 8.00 to 9.00 days with an average of 8.47days in female and 4.50 to 5.50 days with an average of 5.20days in case of male.The total life cycle of male and female was42-44 and 45-47.50 days, respectively.