Behavior of the Leaf eating Moth Hypocala subsatura Guene (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Damaging on Imported Sweet Persimmon Cultivar MC1 (Fuyu) in Hoa Binh, Viet Nam
Abstract
Leaf eating moth Hypocala subsatura Guene (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is main insect pests on imported sweet persimmon MC1 (Fuyu) in Hoa Binh, Viet Nam. The catepillars can cause severe yield losses in sweet persimmon by damaging new flushes. Six to twelve hours after hatchment mating occurred and mostly took place during night time. Addition of 10% honey to feed, the longevity of female last to 13.5 days, longer than male (about 12.2 days). Preoviposition period was 2 days; oviposition period was recorded highest during 4, 5 and 5 days; post-oviposition period was 1-2 days (at 28°C and 70%). Eggs were laid singly on the young leaf surface of the branches which are not affected directly by the sun. The first, second and third instars live in group but 4th and 5th instars start to spread out to the midribs of large leaves and young shoots. 70% of larvae pupated on the soil surface in the cocoons made from dead leaves and other plant debris while 26.67% pupatedin soil at a depth of 0-3cm and 3.33% pupated at the depth of more than 3cm in the soil.