Indian Journal of Entomology

Open Access
SCOPUSWeb of Science
  • Year: 2025
  • Volume: 87
  • Issue: 4

Immature Stages and Chaetotaxy of Spodoptera litura (F)

  • Author:
  • Amritpal Singh Kaleka1, Yachana Kapoor1,*
  • Total Page Count: 7
  • Published Online: Feb 18, 2026
  • Page Number: 842 to 848

1Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi UniversityPatiala147002, Punjab, India

*Email: yachanakapoor03@gmail.com (corresponding author)

Online Published on 18 February, 2026.

Abstract

This study explores the chaetotaxy, and biology of immature stages of the tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura (F) which is a major pest of crops. From Himachal Pradesh, apricot (Prunus armeniaca), curly dock weed (Rumex crispus), apple (Malus domestica) and plum (Prunus salicina) are reported as its new hosts. It takes 29-39.32 days to complete its lifecycle with six larval instars. The chaetotaxy of final instar and pupal morphology are described and illustrated.

Keywords

Spodoptera litura, Lifecycle, Eggs, Immature stages, Moulting, Larva, Instar, Chaetotaxy, Pupa, Host plants, Malus, Prunus, Rumex