Biology of Pink Stem Borer Sesamia Inferens Walker on Barnyard Millet Echinochloa Frumentacea

Laboratory study was conducted to assess the biology of pink stem borer Sesamia inferens Walker on barnyard millet during February to April. The eggs were round and creamy white, and were laid inside the leaf sheath. The incubation period was 10.88± 0.41 days, and hatching % was 68.19± 1.16 and the larva had six instars. The weight of first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth instar were 0.21± 0.01, 6.86± 0.57, 36.29± 2.79, 63.75± 2.06, 135.97± 2.57 and 225.05± 4.65 mg, respectively; duration of these instars was 3.76± 0.23, 3.92± 0.17, 5.08± 0.21, 5.52± 0.28, 5.72± 0.23 and 6.68± 0.36 days, respectively. The total larval and prepupal duration were 30.68± 0.89 days and 1.48± 0.10 days, respectively, with a pupation of 86.4± 1.86% and pupal period of 9.96± 0.46 days. The pupal weights of males were 138.12± 3.05 mg and females were 196.63± 1.56 mg. The adult emergence was 84.4± 1.93%, with female being larger than males; with filiform antenna, while the had bipectinate antenna. The weight of male adult was 110.20± 4.73 mg and female adult was 189.30± 9.40 mg, and longevity was 4.92± 0.16 6.4± 0.21 days, in male and female, respectively. The fecundity ranged from 28 to 226 eggs/ female (118.4± 12.09) and the total lifecycle ranged from 41 to 63 days (51.2± 1.44 days) for male and from 47 to 70 days (58.12± 1.47 days) for female.