›› 2011, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (7): 815-819.doi:

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Growth and survival of a geometrid defoliator Hyposidra infixaria Walker (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) on four clonal varieties of tea

Anirban BASU MAJUMDER, Sunil Kumar PATHAK, Tapan Kumar HATH   

  • Received:2011-02-15 Online:2011-07-20 Published:2011-07-20
  • About author:anirbanbm@yahoo.co.in

Abstract: The growth and survival of a geometrid defoliator, Hyposidra infixaria Walker were studied on four popular clonal varieties (TV1, TV9, TV25 and Teen ali 17) of tea Camellia sinensis in the laboratory with an aim to find out the most suitable clonal variety of tea for the insect. The results showed that the larval period of H. infixaria on TV25 clone was significantly shorter (15.78 d) than that on TV1 (18.14 d), TV9 (18.00 d) and Teen ali 17 (17.00 d) clones. There were two variations in the larval instar numbers, those being the five- or six-instar type. The incidence of the six-instar type fed on TV25 was higher than those fed on other three clones. Larval and pupal weights were also significantly higher on TV25 than other three clones. Similarly, the survival of immature stages of H. infixaria fed on TV25 was significantly higher than other three clones. Based on growth parameters and survival, TV25 was found to be the most preferable clonal variety of tea for H. infixaria.

Key words: Hyposidra infixaria, tea looper, growth, survival, tea (Camellia sinensis)