Biology of the Sal Defoliator <I>Ascotis imparata</I> Walk. (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Abstract

Moth of A. imparata was whitish grey or pale fuscous in colour, irrorated with dark grey and brown lines. Mating duration took 147.50 ± 11.93 minutes. Eggs were small, oval and olive green in colour. Incubation period was 3.80 ± 0.84 days. Larvae were voracious feeders and had two pairs of prolegs 1st on A6 and 2nd on A10. It has four moultings representing five instars. The full grown larva was light brown in colour. The larval duration was 21.58 ± 1.31 days. Pupa was obtect stout, shining, hairless and reddish- brown in colour. Pupal period lasts 14.08 ± 1.17 days. Life cycle of A. imp∑arata completed in 51.36 ± 1.32 days in June - July. There were six generations in a year.