Biology and morphometrics of Phalera raya Moore (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) infesting Quercus serrata Thunb.

Abstract :

The hairy caterpillar, Phalera raya Moore is a major defoliator infesting Quercus serrata, the primary food plant of oak tasar silkworm, Antheraea proylei. Studies on biological parameters of P. raya revealed that females laid light brown colour eggs and fecundity was 610 ± 24.80 eggs per female. Incubation period of the eggs was 8.4 ± 0.24 days and measured 0.91 ± 0.03 mm in diameter. The larvae passed through 6 larval instars. The duration of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th instar was 5.8 ± 0.37, 8.0 ± 0.45, 6.2 ± 0.37, 6.6 ± 0.24, 6.8 ± 0.20 and 11.0 ± 0.32 days respectively. Larval and pupal period was 43.4 ± 1.81 and 13.4 ± 0.67 days. The mean adult longevity was 4.5 ± 0.43 days and the average length and breadth of the adult was 30.50±0.10 mm and 7.55±0.24 mm respectively. The total developmental period was completed in 65 - 72 days.


Keyword :

Phalera raya, biology, morphometric, developmental stages, Quercus serrata


Author(s) : Subharani, S., Debaraj, Y., Chaudhuri, R. S., Ibotombi Singh, N.
Downloads : 317
Published Issue : 2019 Vol. 14 Number 2


2019 Vol. 14 Number 2