Ovipositional Preference, host range and life history of eggplant fruit and shoot borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Issue Date

10-2008

Abstract

The ovipositional preference of eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB), Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee, was determined for seven crops namely: eggplant (Solanum melongena), white potato (Solanum tuberosum), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) pole sitao (Vigna sinensis) and black night shade (Solanum nigrum). The number of eggs laid was determined 3 days after EFSB moth infestation of the test plants at vegetative and early fruiting stages. The location of the eggs deposited on the plant parts was also noted. Given a free choice the EFSB preferred to oviposit on eggplant only. The eggs were mostly found on the lower leaf surface of topmost open and middle leaves although few were also deposited on the upper leaf surface and petiole. The comparative life histories of the EFSB on the crops were determined by continuously rearing neonates on each crop until death. The EFSB was able to successfully complete its life cycle on eggplant, black nightshade and white potato. On tomato and pole sitao, larval development was completed but the pupae were abnormal while EFSB larvae were able to survive only for two days and 12 hours on sweet potato and okra, respectively. There was no significant difference in longevity of the adult moths reared on eggplant and black nightshade, but significantly longer than that on white potato. The weight of sixth instar larvae continuously reared on the three crops did not differ significantly, although those on eggplant had the highest and those on white potato had the lowest average weight. The 6th instar larvae on tomato were slightly heavier than those on pole sitao. There was an observed difference in pigmentation on larval body. The larvae reared on tomato and pole sitao were darker, than those reared on eggplant, black night shade and white potato. The black night shade could serve as alternate host for rearing the EFSB in the laboratory when eggplant is unavailable.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

22

Issue

2

Page

173-183

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Physical Description

tables; illustrations

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

LEUCINODES ORBONALIS; PYRALIDAE; LEPIDOPTERA; SOLANUM MELONGENA; EGGPLANTS; LIFE CYCLE

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