Insect pest complex of okra and biology of shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella (F.)

Abstract

Insect pest complex of okra and biology of Earias vittella (F.) were studied in North Western India during kharif 2009. These revealed nine species of insects which include fruit and shoot borer, (Earias vittella), Jassid, (Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida), fruit borer, (Helicoverpa armigera Hub.), whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius), aphid, (Aphis gossypii Glover), semilooper, (Anomis flava F.), red cotton bug, (Dysdercus cingulatus F.) and blister beetle, (Mylabris pustulata Thumb). E.vittella was found to cause severe economic losses followed by A.biguttula biguttula and B. tabaci while other insects proved to be of at low economic status. Studies on the biology of Earias vittella (F.) on okra revealed that the fecundity was 196 eggs during July-August as compared to 203 eggs during October-November. The incubation period was 3.27 and 3.67 days and hatchability 78.12% and 75.25% in the respective periods. The larval and pupal stages occupied 11.79 and 7.64 days and 11.15 and 7.57 days, in respective months. However, the time required to complete the life cycle (egg to adult) averaged 25.05 days during July-August while it was 22.97 days during October-November.