Biology of Pomegranate Fruit Borer Deudorix Isocrates
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20302--Vijay Bharti Indian Journal of Entomology 83(2021) Online published Ref. No. e20302 DoI No.: 10.5958/0974-8172.2020.00244.8 BIOLOGY OF POMEGRANATE FRUIT BORER DEUDORIX ISOCRATES VIJAY BHARTI*, V K RANA AND SUMIT KUMAR Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture and Foresty, Neri, Hamirpur 177001, Himachal Pradesh *Email: [email protected] (corresponding author) ABSTRACT The biology of pomegranate fruit borer Deudorix isocrates (F.) revealed that female laid white creamish, circular eggs in mid April either singly or in clusters (15-20) in calyx cup of fruits and upper leaves. There were five larval instars with total larval period being 26 to 32 days (29.4± 0.6 days). Pupa was obtect, pale to dark brown, with adult showing sexual dimorphism- females being bigger, brownish violet, having conspicuous orange patches in forewings. Male smaller, glossy bluish violet and lacks orange patches in forewings. The total lifecycle is completed in 46 to 59 days (52.3± 1.40 days). Key words: Deudorix isocrates, pomegranate, biology, morphometrics, Himachal Pradesh, egg, larva, instars, pupa, adult, sexual dimorphism, description Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is one of the 2019. After pupation, pupae were collected and placed oldest cultivated plants (Lye, 2008), and in Himachal in another cages. The male and female adults emerging Pradesh is it grown in 2847 ha with production of 3215 were collected in plastic bottles and released in separate mt (Anonymous, 2018-19). It is attacked by about 45 rearing cage for mating and egg laying. Tender terminal insect pests in India (Butani, 1979), of which the fruit shoots with fresh fruits were soaked in water in glass borer commonly known as anar butterfly is a major flask to keep leaves and fruit fresh for long period and one (Gupta and Dubey, 2005; Kumar, 2010). It feeds also to provide natural conditions as well as for egg on seed, resulting in rotting and premature fall of fruits. laying. The adults were fed with 10% honey soaked The extent of loss varies between 50-90% (Balikai et al., in cotton swabs. Different lifestages examined under 2009; Kumar, 2010). In India 40 to 90% losses had been microscope (n=10), and morphometrics of stages were reported (Nair, 1978). This pest is a serious problem in done with digital vernier caliper. Longevity of lifestages almost all pomegranate growing areas and cause huge were observed with the larval instars, formation of pupa economic losses to farmers due to reduced market value. and adult emergence and until death. The larval instars It is necessary to manage this pest more effectively. were confirmed using Dyar’s law. After death, adults Hence the present study, at the College of Horticulture were stretched and preserved for measuring their wing and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur during 2018-19 to study expanse and length. its lifecycle. The details of feeding behavior, damaging stage, weak link and duration of their different stages RESULTS AND DISCUSSION etc. have been brought out. The data revealed that the gravid female laid eggs MATERIALS AND METHODS on flower, leaves and fruits (calyx cup) especially at the basal portion either singly, in pairs and in clusters The study was carried out in the laboratory of (15-20/ cluster). The freshly laid eggs were shining the Division of Entomology, College of Horticulture white, more or less round, with short scattered hairs. and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh Similar egg laying pattern of D. isocrates was observed (31°41’N,72°28’E, 650 masl). The pomegranate orchard by Bhut et al. (2013) and Kumar et al. (2017). Under at Avdhyal, post office Nalti Hamirpur was used, and laboratory conditions, the newly hatched first instar the larvae collected from this. With regular visits, trees larvae bore a small hole into fruit and initially feed planted at the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri on the outer surface of fruit. The second instar larvae and Avdhyal, Hamirpur were used. Rearing was done feeding pattern was observed to be the same as that of in cages for further study at ambient temperature and first. The third instar larva bore hole of bigger size and relative humidity during May to September in 2018- was visible through the bore hole with its posterior end. 2 Indian Journal of Entomology 83(2021) Online published Ref. No. e20302 The fourth instar feeds voraciously on seeds and excreta larva ceased its feeding, with reduced movement and was pushed out of the entry hole as dry pellets or wet became motionless; it further reduced in size, stick to a faecal matter. These were seen around the holes with particular place and turned into prepupal stage. an offensive smell. The fifth instar larva was larger, accompanied with messy, with offensively smelling The prepupa was dark bluish on dorsal side and fluid oozing out from the entrance hole. Sometimes, dirty white on ventral side. The larvae pupated inside the bore holes could be seen plugged with the anal the damaged fruit or in the tunnel made by the larva end of larva. The borer affected fruits fall down or of inside the fruit. Sometimes pupation was also taking no use and with secondary infestation such as rotting. place on the calyx cup of the fruit especially when the More or less similar damage pattern was observed by fruit increases in size or fruit rind became hard. Pupa Bhut et al. (2013). was obtect and pale to dark brown. Adults exhibit sexual dimorphism- females were bigger than males The freshly hatched larva was creamy white, except in wing expansion; male is glossy bluish violet while head and last abdominal segments being pale brown, female is brownish violet having conspicuous orange and cylindrical; body covered with short scattered white patches on apical region of each forewing; the thorax hairs. Second instar larva was creamy white with pale was fairly large and covered with brownish hairs in both brownish patches and somewhat greenish brown with sexes and hind wings consisted of 4- 6 mm long tail short scattered hairs. Third instar larva was similar to like structures on its anal margin. The entire lifecycle the second in shape but differs in size and colour, being occupies 52.3± 1.40 days (Table 1). Kumar et al. (2017) darker with large yellow and creamish patches seen on reported that D. isocrates takes 63.92 days for lifecycle, abdomen. The last abdominal segment was slanting and the present results are in contrast with such previous and flat, forming a shield like structure over anus. results. The oviposition period is 2.5± 0.16 days, with The fourth instar was pale brown with pale yellowish the preoviposition period being 1.90± 0.23 days, and the patches. The fullgrown larva was dark blackish brown post oviposition period was 5.0± 0.25 days (Table 1). with pale yellowish patches mainly in the centre of abdomen and short scattered hairs on the body. Thus, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS there were five instars, with total larval period being The author thanks the College of Horticulture and 29.4± 0.6 days (Table 1). Bhut et al. (2013) reported that Forestry, Neri and Chairman of advisory committee Dr the total larval period is 29.8± 1.20 days; while, Kumar V K Rana and all members of advisory committee for et al. (2017) observed it as 32.9± 2.38 days. Full grown their guidance. Table 1. Biology and morphometrics of D. isocrates Life Stages Range (mm) Length (mm) Range (mm) Breadth (mm) Head capsule Range Duration (Mean ± SE) (Mean ± SE) width (Mean (days) (days) ± SE) mm Mean ± SE Egg 0.46 - 0.54 0.50 ± 0.01 0.49 - 0.59 0.54 ± 0.01 5-8 5.7 ± 0.26 Larva 1st Instar 1.80 - 3.70 2.63 ± 0.18 0.34 – 1.10 0.62 ± 0.06 0.62 ± 0.01 4-7 5.3 ± 0.30 2nd Instar 4.10 - 7.40 5.96 ± 0.38 1.40 - 2.42 1.86 ± 0.11 0.88 ± 0.03 6-9 7.4 ± 0.33 3rd Instar 9.24 - 12.81 11.41 ± 0.36 2.60 – 4.28 3.28 ± 0.20 1.16 ± 0.08 6-10 8.1 ± 0.37 4th Instar 14.80 - 18.46 16.81 ± 0.36 4.14 – 5.10 4.61 ± 0.09 1.56 ± 0.02 5-7 6.3 ± 0.26 5th Instar 16.26 - 24.56 20.44 ± 0.82 4.30 - 6.58 5.60 ± 0.22 2.10 ± 0.22 5-8 7.0 ± 0.25 Pre-Pupa 12.60 - 15.64 13.46 ± 0.30 5.20 – 6.60 5.81 ± 0.12 3-5 3.8 ± 0.24 Pupa 12.31 - 16.35 13.87 ± 0.41 4.80 - 6.42 5.49 ± 0.17 8-11 9.5 ± 0.34 Total life cycle 46-59 52.3 ± 1.40 Adult Preoviposition 1-3 1.9 ± 0.23 period Oviposition 2-4 2.5 ± 0.16 period Postoviposition 4-6 5.0 ± 0.25 period Male 16.24 - 19.70 18.04 ± 0.38 38.46 - 45.38 42.44 ± 0.86* 6-9 7.5 ± 0.34 Female 18.53 - 23.15 20.53 ± 0.53 44.25 - 53.13 48.28 ± 0.90* 8-12 10.2 ± 0.41 *Width with expanded wings; n =10; SE= Standard Error Biology of pomegranate fruit borer Deudorix isocrates 3 Vijay Bharti et al. 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