Discrete generation cycles in Coconut black headed caterpillar, Opisina arenosella Walker (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae)

Abstract

Field study was carried out to determine generation cycles and to comprehend the different developmental stages and their density at a particular time interval to assess the population structure of coconut black headed caterpillar, Opisina arenosella Walker (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) in Mandya district, Karnataka, India. The sampled population of O. arenosella showed discrete generation. The different stages of O. arenosella viz., larvae, pupae and adults were not observed on any single sampling date. Therefore, the definite periodicity in the appearance of O. arenosella suggested to discreet generation cycles.