International Journal of Entomology Research

Authors
Patil Ravindrakumar D

Abstract
Deudorix isocrates is one of the serious pests of Pomegranate, Punica granatum. The present study was undertaken to study its feeding and reproductive habits since understanding of biological habits of pest is helpful to find control measures against the pest. As per laboratory rearing method, the fecundity rate of an individual female was ranged from 07 to 142 (average 60.19) eggs. The oviposition period was found 01 to 33 days with average 9.8 days during Mrig bahar (June-Sept.).It was found that rarely the gravid female deposits the egg on flower, twigs and underside of leaves. The calyx end of fruit is the most preferred site of egg laying (68.65%) than other parts like lower half (11.56%), stalk base (8.31%), upper half (7.49%) and middle region (3.97%) of the fruit. After hatching the most of the neonate larvae (32%) consumed 16 to 30 minutes to start cutting the fruit rind for their entry into the fruit by making a minute entrance hole. After getting entry into the fruit the larva feeds on seeds and pulp of the pomegranate fruit throughout larval phase. It drops the excretory pellets outside the fruit through entrance hole. These observations on egg laying habits and feeding habits suggest the mechanical measures like paper bagging of the fruits to minimize the pest attack.