Record of Hollyhock as an important alternate host of Earias vittella (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in eastern Uttar Pradesh

The present study envisages the occurrence of Earias vittella on hollyhock (Alcea rosea Linn.) grown as an ornamental plant in and around Varanasi. Critical observation revealed that larvae of E. vittella bore the central shoot of the plant and caused appearance of typical. dead-heart. and the plants gradually died from apical portion. On an average 25.57 per cent plants were affected by this pest during last week of December, 2015 and usually prompted to re-sow the crop in many cases. In case of hollyhock, Earias larva is more dangerous as single larva can kill the entire plant during November to March. Three successive malvaceous crops (summer okra. kharif okra. hollyhock) provides year round host availability for this dreaded pest of okra.