6844Trends in Biosciences 8(24), Print : ISSN 0974-8431,Trends 6844-6845, in Biosciences 2015 8 (24), 2015

Biology of Atteva fabriciella Swed. ( : Yponomeutidae) on excelsa Roxb. S. D. AHER AND C. M. MURALIDHARAN, Auth: Aher Sandip Dattatray, Add- At.post- Materewadi, Tal. Dindori Dist Nashik Maharashtra (India) - 422209. email: [email protected]

Key word Ailanthus excelsa- pest Atteva tender Ailanthus leaves were provided as food, fabriciella- biology. which change daily. Plastic bottle were coverd with muslin cloth. Date of each moulting was recorded Atteva fabriciella Swed. is serious pest carefully by observing exuvae head capsule. Total causing large scale defoliation in young plantation larval period was calculated from date of hatching of A. excelsa Roxb. Commonly known as Ailanthus of eggs to date of formation of pre-pupa. For pupa leaf webworm, the severity of this was pupae removed from loose cocoon and pupal period recorded in local nurseries and plantations. Larvae was determine from date of formation of cocoon feed on tender leaves and soft tissues around to adult emergence. Male and female pupas were terminal bud, inflorescence and tender fruits or separated by observing genital and anal opening. samaras. In nurseries up to 2 to 3 year plants kill For studying adult male and female pupa sorted due to attack by this pest. Hence it affects growth out and kept wooden cage (21X11X30") for its due to defoliation, forking due to damage in terminal emergence and supply food daily up to death for bud and loss of seed production due to infestation studying total life period. on inflorescence. Hence Atteva fabriciella is most important insect pest of Ailanthus excelsa causing RESULT AND DISCUSSION economic damage. Biology of Atteva fabriciella was studied at room temperature 22 to 28.50 C (Av. 25.12 ±1.08) MATERIALS AND METHODS and relative humidity 66 to 74.5 (Av 68.58 ±4.28) For studying biology of insect large numbers per cent. In laboratory, eggs were laid on leaf petiole of later instar larva of A. fabriciella infesting and undersurface of tender leaves singly and some Ailanthus excelsa brought to the laboratory for time in small group in 2 to 3. Eggs were small, pale further rearing. Fresh food was provided to larva green in colour and beautifully sculpture and till pupation, which formed nucleus culture for become darker just before hatching. Incubation further study. Pair of male and female pupae were period of eggs was observed after 2 to 6 days with placed in Petridish (9X1.5 cm)which keep in an average 3.3 ± 2.16 days. Duration of first, wooden cage (21X11X30") for adult emergence second, third, fourth and fifth instar larva was 2 to and ten such cages were kept for oviposition. 5 days, 3 to 5 days, 2 to 5 days, 3 to 5 days and 3 Emerged adult were provided 5 per cent honey to 6 days and average period was 3.3±1.49 days, solution as a food, which change daily. Fresh laid 4.0±0.81 days, 4.0±1.05 days, 4.1±0.87 days and eggs per female on leaves of A. excelsa were 5.0±1.05 days respectively. Total larval period was carefully removed and counted and study its size, observed 14 to 20 days with an average 16.75±2.31 shape and colour. For studying incubation period days pre-pupal stage 1 to 2 days with 1.5±0.52 and hatching percentage ten freshly laid eggs were days averagely. Pupal period was 5 to 8 days under kept separately on tender Ailanthus leaf, repeated laboratory condition with an average 6.6±1.07 days. five times and observed under microscope daily, Pre oviposition period was 2 to 5 days after till hatching. The duration and number of eggs hatch emergence and average pre oviposition period was recorded. To record number and duration of 3.6±1.14 days, while oviposition period was 2 to 5 each larval instar, ten newly hatch larvae (first days with an average 3.8±1.09 days was observed. instar) were transfer separately into plastic Post oviposition period was observed 3 to 6 days specimen tube (3.5X7.5 cm) with the help of fine with an average 3.8±1.30 days before death. camel hair brush (repeat by five times). Fresh and Fecundity of female 23 to 60 eggs with an AHER and MURALIDHARAN, Biology of Atteva fabriciella Swed. (Lepidoptera : Yponomeutidae) on Ailanthus excelsa 6845

Table 1. Biology of Atteva fabriciella on Ailanthus excelsa

Sr. Period (Days) No. Criteria (Days) Minimum Maximum Av. ± S.D. 1 Egg period 2 6 3.3 ± 2.16 2 Larval period 1st instar (n=10) 2 5 3.3 ± 1.49 2nd instar (n=10) 3 5 4.0 ± 0.81 3rd instar (n=10) 2 5 4.0 ± 1.05 4th instar (n=10) 3 5 4.1 ± 0.87 5th instar (n=10) 3 6 5.0 ± 1.05 Total larval period 14 20 16.75 ± 2.31 3 Pre-pupal period 1 2 1.5 ± 0.52 4 Pupal period 5 8 6.6 ± 1.07 Pre-oviposition 2 5 3.6 ± 1.14 Oviposition 2 5 3.8 ± 1.09 Post-oviposition 3 6 3.8 ± 1.30 5 Total adult period Male 6 10 7.2 ± 1.64 Female 9 13 10.0 ± 1.73 6 Total life cycle Male 37 41 40.16 ± 1.60 Female 41 47 43.00 ± 2.16 Male 6 10 7.2 ± 1.64 Female 9 13 10.00 ± 1.73 7 No. of eggs/? 23 60 34.00 ± 12.03 8 Hatching % 50 90 66.42 ±13.68 average 34.00±12.03 eggs with hatching per cent LITERATURE CITED 50 to 90 per cent with an average 66.42±13.64 per Nair, K. S. S. 2007. Tropical forest insect-pest ecology, cent. Longevity of male and female was 6 to 10 ecology, impact and management. days with an average 7.2±1.64 days and 9 to 13 Published by: Cambridge University press, pp 197-203. days with an average 10.00±1.73 days. The total life span of male and female was 37 to 41 days and Mishra, R. M. and Mudit Kumar Singh 2004. Forest Entomology in India. Published by : Saluja book house, 41 to 47 days with an average of 40.16±1.60 days pp. 5-16. and 43.00±2.16 days respectively.

Received on 15-12-2015 Accepted on 20-12-2015