Biology of leaf eating caterpillar Noorda blitealis Walker on moringa

Present study on biology of Noorda blitealis Walker on moringa revealed that eggs were laid singly at the ventral side of the leaf petiole rather than in cluster by N. blitealis. The mean incubation period was 2.9 ± 0.73 days. The total larval period of leaf eating caterpillar ranged from 11 to 17 days with an average of 14.5 ± 0.63 days, while pre-pupal period 2.5 ± 0.52 days and pupal period 7.7 ± 0.94 days, respectively on moringa. The male completed life cycle in 30 to 35 days with an average of 33.6 ± 4.86 days while, female completed life cycle in a period of 29 to 38 days with an average of 33.8 ± 4.85 days, respectively. Pre-oviposition period was 2.2 ± 0.44 days and oviposition period 3.8 ± 0.83 days, respectively. The fecundity observed 81.7 ± 10.59 eggs. Longevity of male was 6.3 ± 1.06 and 2.3 ± 0.48 days with and without honey solution while, female 6.6 ± 1.17 and 3.0 ± 0.82 days with and without honey solution, respectively.