Biology of major lepidopteran pests of Jasminum sambac in Kerala

Abstract

The jasmine bud borer. Hendecasis duplifascialis and jasmine leaf webworm, Nausinoe geometralis, were identified as the major lepidopteran pest of Jasminum sambac in Kerala. Detailed studies on their biology revealed that H. duplifascialis has an egg period of 3.35 ± 0.11 days, a larval period of 11.15 ± 0.08 days, and a pupal period of 5.25 ± 0.10 days. The female moths of this species exhibit a longevity of 5.8 ± 0.10 days, while the male moths live for 3.9±0.15 days. The egg, larval, and pupal period of N. geometralis was 3.35 +0.11, 10.65 +0.20, and 6.65 ± 0.11 days, respectively. The adults recorded longevity of 6.7±0.15 and 4.8±0.13 days, respectively, for female and male moths.