Comparative biology of Phycodes radiata (Lepidoptera: Brachodidae) on four host plants of Moraceae family

Abstract

Fig leaf roller moth, Phycodes radiata is a minor, polyphagous and sporadic pest of the ficus plants in the Moraceae family. The comparative biology of P. radiata was evaluated on four host plants: Ficus benjamina, F. benghalensis, F. glomerata, and F. religiosa. The eggs hatch after an incubation period of 6.80±0.70, 6.82±0.72, 6.80±0.71, and 6.82±0.73 days. The hatching percentages of the eggs were recorded to be highest (95%) on F. religiosa and the lowest (82%) on F. benghalensis. The total larval period was recorded as 19.80±2.91, 19.85±3.0, 19.57±3.37 and 19.36±3.29 days respectively, the longest on F. benghalensis and the shortest on F. religiosa. The male pupal period lasted for 9.80±0.50, 9.80±0.40, 9.80±0.45 and 9.80±0.49 days; and the female pupal period was 9.67±0.79, 9.66±0.74, 9.67±0.78 and 9.67±0.80 days respectively. The male longevity was observed as 5.87±0.33, 5.88±0.32, 5.87±0.35 and 5.88±0.36 days, whereas, the female longevity was recorded to be 7.89±0.49, 7.87±0.48, 7.90±0.52 and 7.89±0.55 days respectively on four host plants.