LIFE CYCLE OF CHILO PARTELLUS (SWINHOE) (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE) ON ANARTIFICIAL DIETS

Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) are major insect pests of Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench, the main staple food crop in India. Life cycle of C. partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was studied under laboratory conditions by using artificial diet. The research revealed that the C. partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was completed its life cycle in 30-40 days. Larval growth and development was significantly faster on an artificial diet. Feeding by fourth-instar C. partellus larvae was significantly higher than third- instar larvae. Feeding on an artificial diet the C. partellus pupal period was 7-10 days. Eggs hatch in five to six days, egg hatch from 45-78% in the first generation.