Comparative Biology of </I>Clostera fulgurita</I> (Walker) (Lepidoptera : Notodontidae) on Different Clones of Poplar (<I>Populus deltoides</I>) in Punjab

Abstract

The studies on bioecology of Poplar leaf Defoliator, Clostera fulgurita (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) on Poplar were carried out at Entomological Research Farm, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Biological studies revealed that the clones PL1, PL5 and PL7 had no effect on the duration of eggs, larvae, pupae and adults longevity. The egg, larval, pupal stage and adult longevity ranged from 3 to 6.42, 14.61 to 43.30, 6.50 to 55.50 and 4.93 to 7.35 days respectively. The defoliator had ten generations/year and the time taken to complete a generation varied from 27 to 94 days. Measurements of eggs, larvae, pupae and adults varied from 0.52 to 0.59 mm, 3.37 to 41.31 mm, 15.85 to 17.88 mm, and 2.87 to 3.87 cm (wing expanse) and 1.53 to 1.55 cm (body length) respectively. Pupation occurred in thin hairy cocoon between two leaves held together by silken thread. Fecundity varied from 268 - 669 among the clones. Maximum adult emergence and mating took place during 5.00 - 9.00 hours.