Preliminary observation on the life cycle of Asota caricae

Morphology, the ranges of host plants, the bionomics of adult and larva, and its life history of Asota caricae Boisduval are reported. The pest occurs 2 generations a year in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. Pupae overwinter on the weed, dead branch and leaves, or with aperture in the wood. In later May to June of the next year, the adults emerge. The first generation occurs in later May to early July and the second generation from later June or July to early May of the next year. There are six or seven instars for the larvae. The first three instars eat mesophyll and gather in the back of leaves, and the fourth instar larvae begin to live separately. When in heavy infestation, the whole leaf was eaten up. The control methods are given.