Division of Forest Entomology, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun - 248 006, India.
1Present Address: NBPGR, Regional Station Phagli, Shimla - 171 004, India.
Bihar hairy caterpillar Spilarctia obliqua Walk, was active on Paulownia fortunel from April to December 1998–1999 at Dehradun and highest population was 59.75 larvae per plant during October. Its population showed significant negative correlation with average temperature (r = -0.07) and positive with average relative humidity (r = 0.39). The average generation period was 42.40 days. and feanllty 538.80. There were six larval instars within 24.80 days. Single Iarva of S. obllqua could consume 8463.10mm2 leaf area of P. fortune at the rate of 343.34 mm2 per day during its larval period.
