Ovipositional Behavior ofEpipyrops Melanoleuca Fletcher (Lepidoptera: Epipyropidae) Parasitizing Sugarcane Leafhoppers Affected by Ambient Temperature

Influence of Temperature and Humidity on the Percentage Viability of the Eggs ofEpiricania melanoleuca(Fletcher) (Lepidoptera: Epipyropidae)

“…In order to evaluate the potential of Epiricania melanoleuca (Fletcher) as a possible biological control tool to control Pyrilla perpusilla, a study was undertaken to obtain information concerning the effect of temperature and humidity on the percentage viability of Epiricania eggs in relation to their age. In relation to this, Misra and Krishna (1982) demonstrated that with the advent of winter, the last brood female of E. melanoleuca shows characteristic changes in its reproductive behaviour. Unlike its normal habit oflaying eggs along the side of the cocoon, with the lowering of field temperature below 20°C in October-November it migrates to the ground and lays eggs on the litter below, where these eggs hibernate until a rise in the field temperature in February-March.…”

Biocontrol Potential and its Exploitation in Sustainable Agriculture

“…Females of E. melanoleuca exhibit an interesting relationship in the mode of their egg laying with the prevailing ambient temperature in sugarcane field during August-November (Mishra and Krishna, 1982). According to them heavy oviposition by the gravid female occurs near the site of cocoon formation on the upper cane leaves during August and September when the minimum ambient temperature in the field varied between 20-25°C, the ratio between cocoons and egg recorded on the leaves at the period was 1.0:15.12.…”