Incidence and biology of leaf roller, Psorosticha zizyphi (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) on curry leaf, Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprengel

A study was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Tirupati, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India during 2008–09 to 2010–11 on the incidence and biology of citrus leaf roller, Psorosticha zizyphi (Stainton, 1859) (Tonica zizyphi) on curry leaf plant (Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprengel). Psorosticha zizyphi is a small moth that is nocturnal in habit. Adult moth lays flat oval eggs on tender leaves on both upper and lower surface, petioles and twigs. The eggs laid are single and egg period lasts for 5 days. Larval period was 14–16 days with five larval instars. Final larval instar turns to pinkish before pupation and pupal period lasted for 6 days, pupa was brownish in colour, tapering towards anterior end. Adult period varied from 5 to 23 days. Incidence of P. zizyphi on M. koenigii was observed from June to January with new flush and rainfall received during second fortnight of December and January month.