Studies on annual life history of okra shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella (Fabricius) on okra under mid hills of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Annual life cycle of Earias vittella (Fabricius) was studied under laboratory conditions at mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh during 2021-22. Five overlapping generations of E. vittella were observed in a year. The mean duration of generations ranged between 31.6 to 34.6 days in generations falling in June to October months while its development slowed from November to May. Mean duration of egg, larva and pupa was 3.4 ± 0.05, 14.0 ± 0.44 and 8.30 ± 0.24 days, respectively. Mean developmental period excluding adult longevity was 26.8 ± 0.72 days in generations from June to October. The longevity of adult male and female was 5.3 ± 0.10 and 6.1 ± 0.20 days, respectively, while the average fecundity was 147.8 ± 21.60. E. vittella showed maximum mortality at larval stage (51.36%).