Assessment of mortality factors, biology and morphometrics of hadda beetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (F.) on brinjal

Results revealed that several factors were responsible for mortality of different stages of Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. The total generation mortality was 118.8% of which biotic factors contributed to 58.1% mainly in egg, grub and pupal stages. The eggs were yellowish, elongated and cigar shaped. A female laid 210 to 392 eggs during the life span. The colour of the grub gradually faints and the body shrinks fully fed grub spent 1–2 days in pre pupal stage. The pupal period lasted from 3–6 days with an averageof 4.6 + 0.92. The newly emerged adult was shiny yellow in colour later changed to copper-brown mottled with black spots. The average longevity of male and female was 64.2 and 63.8 days and the pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods were 19.0, 22.2 and 17.6 days, respectively.