Bionomics of defoliator, Gastropacha pardale (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) on mango

Larvae of Gastropacha pardale were voracious feeders, feeding on the whole leaf content except the mid-rib. The adults had hairy bodies with dark brown forewings, thickly covered with scales. The mature larva was about 7 cm in length, dull brown with creamish tufts of hairs at the sides. The lifecycle was completed in 38–51 days in the month of September-October. Other related observations on biology, lifecycle and behaviour of the pest were investigated.