Biology of til hawk moth, Acherontia styx Westwood (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

Issue Date

4-2004

Abstract

The biology of til hawk moth, Acherontia styx Westwood (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae), was studied in the laboratory on sesame (Sesamum indicum Linn.) plants. The ambient temperature and relative humidity ranged from 28.5°C to 32.45°C and 68.46% to 80.54%, respectively. The female laid singly 64-102 eggs on leaves in 2-3 nights. The egg measured 1.54 mm in diameter on average. The incubation period ranged from 3 to 4 days. The duration of first, second, third, fourth and fifth larval stadia were 2-3, 2-3, 3-4, 3-4 and 5-8 days, respectively, and the pupal period was 13-16 days. The longevity was 6-7 days for male and 7-10 days for female. The larva consumed, on average, 34.52 g of fresh sesame leaves during the average larval period of 18.45 days. The average length and width of full-grown larva were 75.96 mm and 11.16 mm while those of pupa were 33.56 mm and 10.56 mm, respectively. Wing expanse was 78.00-90.10 mm for a female moth and 71.00-80.20 mm for a male. The width of the larval head capsule at different instars corroborated Dyar's postulate. The insect completed its life cycle in 38-54 days.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

18

Issue

1

Page

55-63

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Physical Description

illustrations; graph, tables

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

SPHINGIDAE; LEPIDOPTERA; SESAMUM INDICUM; PESTS; BIOLOGY; LIFE CYCLE

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