Biology of Herpetogramma bipunctalis (Fabricius) with descriptions of larval chaetotaxy

This study is on the biology of Herpetogramma bipunctalis (Fabricius) as observed on Solanum trilobatum, a new host record. These observations revealed that the egg, larval, and pupal periods were 3.75 ± 0.35, 17.22 ± 1.48 and 6.35 ± 0.70 days, respectively. The total life cycle (egg-to-adult) was 32.92 ± 5.27 days. Additionally, descriptions of larval chaetotaxy and morphology of the eggs, larvae and pupae are provided. Eggs circular to oblong, flattened, transparent, colourless and laid in groups, and measure 1.0045 ± 0.02 mm long and 0.796 ± 0.024 mm broad. Pupae stout and 9.14 ± 0.05 cm long. Larval chaetotaxy reveals that the subventral setae are trisetose in first abdominal segment; and D and SD pinacula of mesothorax fused, a characteristic feature of H bipunctalis.