Biology of Phloeobius Crassicollis Jord. (coleoptera: Anthribidae) on Green Standing Bamboo

Abstract

Beetle of Phloeobius crassicollis exhibit sexual dimorphism. The emergence of beetles occurred during May-June. The newly emerged beetles feed on the outer surface of the bamboo culm recurring preferably at the nodes. Single gravid female laid 40-45 eggs at nodes/culm sheaths. The longevity of female and male beetles is 22.6±0.57 and 18.5±0.38 days respectively. The sex ratio male: female is 1.00:0.917. The freshly laid eggs are light gray and oval, incubate for 11.20±0.27 days at room temperature. The freshly hatched larvae nibble and scratch at the point of hatching on the nodes/culm sheaths. Larvae feed on woody tissues of nodes and internodes and deposit the larval frass inside the hollow internodes. The body colour of larvae was creamish with dark yellow head. The larval period was 317.6±0.14 days. Pupae were grayish black in colour. The length and breadth of pupa was 15.00 ±0.316 mm and 8.4±0.155 mm respectively. It emergedinto adults after 17.2±0.63 days.P. crassicollis taken one year to complete the life cycle.