Biology of castor shoot and capsule borer Conogethes punctiferalis guenee (Lepidoptera: crambidae)

A study on the biology of castor shoot and capsule borer, Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenee) was carried out under laboratory conditions. The eggs were translucent, pale white, became dark pink before hatching, and flattish oval with rough surface. Incubation period was 4.16± 0.84 days, and hatching percentage was 93.81± 2.61%. Total larval development period was 12.92± 0.73 days, while pre-pupal and pupal periods were 1.92± 0.74 and 8.48± 0.92 days, respectively. The pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods were 1.39± 0.50, 4.35± 0.57 and 2.26± 0.62 days, respectively. The fecundity was 70.76± 17.43 eggs, with the longevity of male and female being 7.04± 0.93 and 8.00± 0.80 days, respectively. Total lifecycle took 25.09± 1.68 days (female) and 24.09 ± 1.47 days (male).