Species diversity and seasonal abundance of fruit piercing moth complex in Tamil Nadu

Based on the survey made at different localities in Tamil Nadu, five species of primary fruit piercers belonging to two genera viz., Othreis materna (L.), O. fullonia (Clerck), O. homaena Hubner, O. salaminia (Cram.) and Rhytia hypermnestra (Stoll) were found to feed on guava and citrus fruits. Among the five species, O. materna was the predominant piercer followed by O. fullonia and O. homaena. The species viz., O. salaminia and R. hypermnestra were very less abundant in all the localities surveyed. Species richness of fruit piercing moth was higher in Periyakulam (2.173), low in Mettupalayam (1.103). The overall measure of diversity and relative abundance of fruit piercing moths was high at Periyakulam and low in Mettupalayam. Regarding seasonal abundance, the activity of O. materna found from the second fortnight of July to till January and O. fullonia and O. homaena was observed from the first week of September and continuing up to first forthnight of January. The larvae of R. hypermnestra were collected during first week of October and moth activity was recorded from the second fortnight of September.