* Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandval 518 502, A. P., India <pdble@kar.nic.in>
Project Directorate of Biological Control, P. B. No. 2491, H.A. Farm Post, Hebbal, Bellary Road, Bangalore 560 024.
Mean pupal weights of both female (135.21 mg) and male (59.89 mg) collected from field were significantly higher than female pupae (80.57 mg) and male pupae (45.0 mg) reared completely on artificial diet. The pupal weight and number of eggs laid/female were positively correlated with every mg increase in pupal weight increasing the fecundity by about four eggs. Female moths from higher weight pupae, produced more number of larger egg masses and also greater number of eggs/egg mass as compared to moths that emerged from lesser weight pupae. Most of the adults laid more than 60% of their eggs during the first two nights after mating.
Chilo partellus, Pupal weight, Zea mays
