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Selecting a Character for Identifying Larval Instars of the Lepidopteran Stemborers Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Noctuidae) and Eldana saccharina Walker (Pyralidae) in Maize

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Abstract

In experiments to select a character for identifying larval instars in Sesamia calamistis and Eldana saccharina, body length, body width and head capsule width were measured in populations reared on artificial diet. Seven- instars were found in S. calamistis and 5 in E. saccharina. For both species, body length was determined to be the best characteristic to distinguish instars because it was easy to measure and had the smallest error.

Résumé

Longueur et largeur du corps ainsi que largeur de la capsule céphalique ont été choisies pour identifier les différents stades larvaires de Sesamia calamistis et Eldana saccharina. Sept stadeè larvaires on été caractérisé pour S. calamistis et cinq pour E. saccharina, les deux espèces étant élevées sur milieu artificiel dans les conditions de laboratoire suivantes: 28 ± 0.5°C, 80 ± 10%RH, 12L:12D. Pour les deux espèces, la longueur du corps se révèle le meilleur caractère pour l’identification des stades car il est le plus facile à mesurer avec un minimum d’erreur.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ORSTOM, Entomologie Agricole, B.P. 5045, 34032, Montpellier, France

    O. Bonato

  2. Plant Health Management Division, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Cotonou, Republic of Benin

    F. Schulthess

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  1. O. Bonato
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  2. F. Schulthess
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Correspondence to O. Bonato.

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Bonato, O., Schulthess, F. Selecting a Character for Identifying Larval Instars of the Lepidopteran Stemborers Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Noctuidae) and Eldana saccharina Walker (Pyralidae) in Maize. Int J Trop Insect Sci 18, 101–103 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400007724

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400007724

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