Biology of semilooper, Hyblaea puera Cramer, an important pest of Quercus serrata Thunb

Hyblaea puera is a serious pest because its larval stage causes major economic losses in the oak plant. Studies on biological parameters of H. puera indicated that female laid eggs singly near the veins sticking to the lower side of leaf, particularly on young tender foliage. Eggs were small, oval with a flat base and white in colour. The egg laying capacity varied from 52 to 180 eggs. The hatching % was 81. The larva passed through 5 larval instars. The sex ratio was computed as 1:4 (male: female). The average developmental stages of H. puera was completed in 32.50 days shared by 2.70, 16.60, 1.40, 7.40 and 5.00 days incubation, larval period, pre-pupal, pupal and adult longevity, respectively.