Skip to main content
Log in

Studies on the Biology of the Cowpea Pod-Borer, Maruca Testulalis in Kenya—I. Determination of the Larval Instars

  • Published:
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The head capsule widths of larvae of the cowpea pod-borer Maruca testulalis, reared individually and crowded together in the laboratory were measured. The measurements were subjected to a test of analysis of variance, frequency distribution and Dyar’s rule. All methods gave a total of five larval instars in the life cycle and conformed to Dyar’s rule. There was a high positive correlation (r = 0.97) between the size of the head capsule and the period of development elapsing. The minimum duration of larval development was 9 days.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Dyar H. G. (1890) The number of moults of lepidopterous larval. Psyche, Camb. 5, 420–422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris J. W. E. and Coppel H. C. (1967) The poplar and willow borer, Sternochetus lapathis (Coleoptera: Curcu-lionidae) in British Columbia. Can. Ent. 99(4), 411–418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inoue M. (1964) On the life history of Cryptorrhychus lapathi Linne in Hokkaido. J. Jap. For. Soc. 46(6), 220–225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kishi Y. (1971) Reconsideration of the method to measure the larval instars by use of the frequency distribution of head capsule widths or lengths. Can. Entom. 103, 1011–1015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kozima K. and Katagiri K. (1964) On the larval instars and changes of its composition of Monochamus alternatus Hope. J. Jap. For. Soc. 46(9), 307–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid R. W. (1955) The bark beetle complex associated with lodgepole pine slash in Alberta—I. Notes on the biologies of some Scolytidae attacking lodgepole pine slash. Can. Ent. 87(6), 311–323.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards O. W. (1949) The relation between measurements of successive instars of insects. Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond. A 24, 8–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shah K. M. (1978) Biology of Maruca testulalis Geyer (Lepid: Pyralidae) bean pod borer. Plant Protection: B. Agr. Sci. Project, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (unpubl. report).

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor T. A. (1967) The bionomics of Maruca testulalis Gey. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a major pest of cowpeas in Nigeria. J. West Afr. Sc. Assoc. 12(2), 111–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters J. and Mcmullen L. H. (1956) Life history and habits of Pseudohylesinus nebulosus (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in the interior of British Columbia. Can. Ent. 88, 197–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Odebiyi, J.B. Studies on the Biology of the Cowpea Pod-Borer, Maruca Testulalis in Kenya—I. Determination of the Larval Instars. Int J Trop Insect Sci 1, 339–341 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1017/S174275840000062X

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S174275840000062X

Key Words

Navigation