Abstract
Pomegranate fruit borer, Deudorix epijarbas (Moore, 1858) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is a destructive pest of pomegranate affecting the quality as well as quantity of its fruits. The pest and its other allied species are nuisance to pomegranate cultivation throughout India, particularly in hilly state of Jammu & Kashmir. The aim of present investigation was to study the bionomics of pomegranate fruit borer in laboratory, which included the studies on its morphometry and extent of different developmental stages in the life cycle of pest, for developing a sound management plan against it. The results revealed that the eggs are laid by females singly on fruits, stalks, leaves and flower buds. On hatching, emerging larva bores in to fruits and feed on its pulp thus rendering them unfit for trade. The pest passed through five larval instars of different duration and the total larval period was 32.20 ± 1.87 (SD) days. The larval stage was followed by pupal stage which lasted for 9.50 ± 1.84 (SD) days. Furthermore, the longevity of adult male and female butterflies was recorded as 9.20 ± 1.73 (SD) and 13.20 ± 1.43 (SD) days respectively. The study thus provides information necessary for development and implementation of different control strategies in IPM of pomegranate fruit borer.
Highlights
IntroductionPomegranate is an ancient sacred fruit belonging to genus Punica of family Punicaceae
2 MATERIAL AND METHODSPomegranate is an ancient sacred fruit belonging to genus Punica of family Punicaceae
The damage caused by pomegranate fruit borer, Deudorix epijarbas (Moore, 1858), is enormous throughout India
Summary
Pomegranate is an ancient sacred fruit belonging to genus Punica of family Punicaceae. It is regarded as a crop of arid and semi-arid regions because of its adaptability to diverse soil and climatic stresses. Pomegranate trees are valued for its products, which have immense nutritional, medicinal and industrial significance (Negi et al, 2003 and Sumner et al, 2005) This fruit tree is susceptible to damage inflicted by various insect pests reducing quality and quantity of its products (Ismail et al, 1989). The pest attack is from the onset of fruiting season til its completion The larvae bore their way in pomegranate fruits and feed on pulp and seeds making the fruits sensitive to secondary infections of fungus and bacteria. The infested fruits become totally unfit for human consumption and impair their trade
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