Life cycle of the lilac pyralid Palpita nigropunctalis (Bremer) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on five oleaceous tree species

Abstract

The seasonal abundance of Palpita nigropunctalis larvae was studied on five oleaceous tree species in Ibaraki, central Japan, for two years. The larval population peaked on some tree species in both spring and autumn while it peaked on other tree species only in autumn. In bimodal populations, the spring peaks consisted of larvae infesting leaves, while the autumn peaks consisted of larvae infesting various tree parts (flowers, fruits and leaves). Larval development was longer and pupal weights were lower on Ligustrum lucidum fruits than on Ligustrum japonicum fruits. Thus, L. japonicum fruits were suitable for larval development in autumn. First-instar larvae appeared to occur three times per year (in late April to early May, mid to late September and early to mid October). Adults were observed from late March to early April, mid May to early June, and early September to mid November at the census sites, showing that P. nigropunctalis had three generations a year. The percentage of females having premature ovaries were 64.3 and 12.5% at 15 °C under 14-h and 15-h photophases, respectively, and 28.6 and 25% at 20 °C under the respective photophases. These temperatures and photoperiods are typical of those in May and June in the census sites. The ovaries of females collected in the field between late May and mid July were premature, in agreement with the laboratory experiments. The pupal duration was prolonged under the short photoperiod, especially at reduced temperatures. We discuss a possible life cycle of P. nigropunctalis in Ibaraki.