Biology of legume pod borer maruca vitrata (F.) on a semisynthetic diet

Legume pod borer Maruca vitrata (F.) is the pantropical pest of increasing importance. The present study is focused on the biological and morphometric characterization of its developmental stages when reared on a semisynthetic diet under laboratory conditions. The results revealed that the duration of the developmental period (number of days) as: egg (2.4-3), larval (12.20-14.80), pupal (9-11) and adult stages (8-12). The morphometrics of the immature stages (egg, 1^st to 5^th instar larvae, prepupa, and pupa) were- 0.65x 0.45, 1.27-16.36x 0.17-2.55, 12.64x 2.50, and 11.40x 2.67 mm, respectively. The mean head capsule widths of first to fifth instar larvae were in the range of 0.20-1.30 mm and followed the growth ratio of 1.44 as per Dyar’s law. The adult male and female measured a mean body length 12.60± 0.06 and 13.40±0.12 mm with the wing span of 9.65± 0.07and 10.40± 0.09 mm, respectively.