Bioecological Studies on Conogethes sahyadriensis in South India

Abstract

Studies on the biology of Conogethes sp. on cardamom, turmeric and ginger in Mudigere, Karnataka, South India, revealed that eggs were oval and translucent, with an incubation period of 4.00 ± 0.20, 4.00 ± 0.36 and 4.00 ± 0.05 days in cardamom, turmeric and ginger, respectively. Average duration of fifth instar larva reared on cardamom, turmeric and ginger was 7.50 ± 0.82, 6.90 ± 0.69 and 8.75 ± 0.81 days, respectively. Average pre-oviposition period of adult female reared on cardamom, turmeric and ginger was 3.12 ± 0.20, 2.20 ± 0.20 and 1.41 ± 0.14 days, respectively, and that of oviposition was 2.25 ± 0.30, 2.57 ± 0.36 and 2.76 ± 0.30 days, respectively. Post-oviposition period was 2.50 ± 0.10, 1.89 ± 0.18 and 2.15 ± 0.18 days, respectively. Total development period of male and female moths reared on turmeric was maximum (42.45 ± 5.38 and 44.05 ± 5.24 days, respectively) compared to those reared on cardamom (37.80 ± 1.91 and 39.25 ± 1.75 days, respectively) and ginger (40.10 ± 1.37 and 42.50 ± 3.50 days, respectively).