Biological study of olive leaf moth, Palpita unionalis Hbn. (Lep., Pyralidae) in Golestan province, Iran
Subject Areas : entomology and othea arthropods
J. Alavi
1
(
Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Khorasan-e-Shomali province, Bojnourd, Iran.
)
Keywords:
Abstract :
The olive leaf moth, Palpita unionalis Hubner, is one of the most important pest of olive trees in Golestan province. The larva attacks young shoots and feed on leaf parenchyma. In heavy infestations larvae also attack the fruits of late ripen cultivars. Biological studies in controlled and field conditions, during 2001-2003, showed that the insect has six generations per year in Gorgan. Adults of overwintered larvae appeared by the end of winter and adults of the first generation appeared in mid-March. Insect overwintered as larva among leaves on olive trees. Eggs were laid on the lower surface of terminal rows of leaves, most of eggs were laid solitary. Results showed that, the present work, the mean number of eggs that was laid by each female, was 231. Eggs hatched after 2.5 days, the larva and pupa stage duration were 21.5 and 8.6 days, respectively. Nearly most of pupae were formed in cocoons in the soil. The average longevity of female and male adults was 14 and 13.6 days, respectively.
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