Legume Research - An International Journal

The studies on comparative biology and biometrics carried out at controlled temperature of 27±1°C in laboratory indicated that significantly higher length (mm) of egg (0.64), 1^st (3.18), 3^rd (9.39), 4^th (12.05) and 5^th (16.23) instar larva, male (13.55) and female (13.64) pupa, male (11.81) and female (11.99) moth; significantly higher breadth (mm) of 1^st (0.73), 2^nd (0.88), 3^nd (1.66), 4^th (2.81) and 5^th (3.56) instar larva and female moth (24.85); significantly higher width (mm) of head capsule in 1^st (0.29), 2^nd (0.39), 3^rd (0.52), 4^th (0.59) and 5^th (0.66) instar larva; significantly shorter period (days) of egg (2.32), 1^st (2.30), 3^rd (2.75), 4^th (2.75), 5^th (2.60) instar larva; significantly shorter total larval (13.71 days), pre-pupal (1.59 days), pupal (5.36 days) and pre-oviposition (1.10 days) periods; Significantly longer oviposition periods (4.30 days) in the female and adult period (6.40 days) of mlile; significantly shorter total life cycle (29.36 days) of female and significantly higher fecundity (41.80 eggs) and growth index (5.71) were recorded in the culture of M. vitrata reared on cowpea [V. unguiculata (L.)] compared to green gram [V. radiata (L.)], black gram [V. mungo (L.)], pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.)] and Indian bean [Lablab purpureus (L.)]. Based on these parameters, it was concluded that cowpea is the most preferred host for growth and development of M. vitrata.