M. MUNESWARI*, K. V. HARI PRASAD, N.C. VENKATESWARLU AND V. UMAMAHESH, Department of Entomology, S.V. Agricultural College, ANGRAU, Tirupati-517502, Chittoor Dt. A.P, India

ABSTRACT

Effect of castor genotypes with different blooms on growth and development of castor semilooper, Parallelia algira was studied using neonate larvae. Biological parameters such as egg duration, larval duration, pupal duration, adult longevity were recorded along with morphometrics. Among the genotypes evaluated GCH-4, which was a triple bloom genotype was ranked as least preferred one recoded with shortest larval duration, longest adult longevity, shortest incubation period, lower larval weights and lower larval measures. Whereas DPC-9, which was a zero bloom genotype was considered as highly preferred host recorded with shortest larval duration, higher larval weights and higher larval measures.

KEYWORDS:

Parallelia algira, castor genotypes, wax bloom