COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY OF Aproaerema modicella DEVENTER (GELECHIIDAE : LEPIDOPTERA) IN SOYBEAN AND GROUNDNUT

Abstract

Comparative biology of Aproacrema modicella (Deventer) was studied on the two principal hosts viz., soybean and groundnut to select the better host for mass culturing of this insect under controlled conditions for laboratory studies. It was concluded that soybean is better suited for mass culturing and it is evidenced by the fact, that more number of eggs, high hatching per cent, shorter larval and pupal periods with low larval mortality. higher pupal weight and high per cent adult emergence with more of females were noticed when reared on soybean.