1Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi UniversityPatiala147002, Punjab, India
*Email: yachanakapoor03@gmail.com (corresponding author)
Online Published on 18 February, 2026.
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.
Spodoptera litura, Lifecycle, Eggs, Immature stages, Moulting, Larva, Instar, Chaetotaxy, Pupa, Host plants, Malus, Prunus, Rumex
