Division of Entomology and Nematology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta, Bangalore-560 089 (India).
Studies on the biology of ber fruit borer, Meridarchis scyrodes Meyrick revealed that egg, larval and pupal stages were completed in 4–5, 14–18 and 8–9 days, respectively. Under laboratory conditions at 31 ± 1°C and 60–80% R.H, the life cycle was completed within 26–32 days. Longevity in the case of adult male and female was 3–4 and 4–5 days, respectively. The average fecundity was 13.29 eggs per female. A braconid parasitoid, Chelonus sp., parasitized larvae up to 10–15% under field conditions. Observationson the feeding behaviour indicated that the first and second instar larvae feed superficially in the fruit while third to fifth instar larvae bored deep in the fruit and damaged the pulp around the seed. During the initial stages of fruit development, the mature larvae were observed even to feed on soft seed.
