Abstract

STUDIES ON BIOLOGY OF HENOSEPILACHNA VIGINTIOCTOPUNCTATA (FAB.) ON BITTER GOURD

R. Shanmugapriyan*, K. M. Remia and V. Dhanalakshmi

Abstract

Spotted beetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fab.)(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is one of the major pest on bitter gourd,Momordica charantia in South India. An experiment was conducted tostudy the biology of Epilachna beetle on bitter gourd under laboratorycondition. Oviposition, fecundity, larval development, adult emergenceand longevity of this pest had been recorded. The average fecundityrate was 284.79 numbers. Eggs hatched within 3 to 4 days. The larvaldevelopment extended up to 11.99 days. The larvae pass through fourmoults with an average period of 3.25, 2.98, 2.55 and 3.22 days forfirst, second, third and fourth instar, respectively. Adult emergence appeared between 4 to 7days. The beetles took 19 to 21 days to develop from egg to adult. The longevity of male andfemales of epilachna beetle was 44.39 and 52.68 days, respectively.

Keywords: Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, Momordica charantia, Oviposition, Fecundity, Incubation, Instars, Adult emergence, Longevity.