Bionomics of chiku moth, Nephopteryx eugraphella Ragonot (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on sapota

Nephopteryx eugraphella Ragonot (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae), commonly known as chiku moth, is a serious pest of sapota. Its bionomics was studied during April 2008 to March 2010 at Fruit Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Gandevi, Gujarat, India. Pre-mating and mating periods of the pest, on an average, were 1.26 – 0.45 and 0.44 – 0.10 days, respectively. The pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition period averaged 3.1 – 0.73, 3.0 – 0.47 and 0.95 – 0.37 days, respectively. The longevity of male and female was 5.43 – 0.63 and 7.83 – 0.44 days, respectively. The female laid an average of 72.0 – 24.15 eggs in her life span. The eggs were laid necked either singly or in groups on the leaves, leaf-petioles and branches. The eggs hatched within 4.25–0.58 days and the viability of eggs averaged 94.0 – 6.99 per cent. The larval stage was completed in 15.76 – 0.84 days. Pre-pupal and pupal stages and total life cycle of the insect lasted for 1.13 – 0.44, 6.93 – 1.16 and 44.46 – 2.82 days, respectively. The larvae fed on leaves, flower buds, flowers and fruits. Extent of leaf area infested varied from 4.55 to 16.15 per cent. Damage to flowers/buds varied from 1.0 to 6.6 per cent. The pest was active throughout the year with the peak in May-June on flower/bud and in the month of February on leaves.