Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Gandhi Krishi Vigyan, Kendra, Bangalore-560 065, Karnataka (India).
*Present address for correspondence: Scientist, Division of Crop Protection, Central Institute for Cotton Research, Post Box No. 225, G.P.O., Nagpur-440 001, Maharashtra (India).
Distribution, colonisation and affinity of Omphra pilosa Klug in four habitats and its developmental biology were studied through pitfall trap sampling over one year (November 1990-October 1991). Importance value index and habitat affinity as a function of colonisation ability for larvae and adults indicated differences in the management practices as a determinant factor for the distribution of O. pilosa over habitats. The relative importance of O. pilosa larvae and adults decreased along the habitats of decreasing stability, viz, mango orchard > agroforest > mulberry field > cultivated crop field. O. pilosa is an eurytopic species occurring at all habitats and a poor coloniser in crop fields. It is an iteroparous monsoon breeder having overlapping generations and adult diapause. There were two peak periods of adult activity during May and August, and three larval peaks in May, July and September. Breeding periods had female biased sex-ratio and the average fecundity per female per season was 106.
