Biology of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) on mustard in Laboratory
Abstract
Studies on the biology of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomcutidae) in the laboratory revealed that incubation period ranged between 3.00 to 5.25 days and larval stage consisted of four instars with 3.74, 5.13, 5.60 and 5.61 days duration respectively for I, II, III and IV instar. The total larval duration ranged from 27.00 to 32.75 days with a mean of 29.86 days. The pupal period lasted for 3.50 to 4.75 days with a mean of 4.27 days and adult longevity was 4.27 days. The total developmental period from egg to adult ranged from 27.00 to 32.75 days. The fecundity was 55.14 eggs and the number of eggs laid were more on the lower surface of leaves.
