LIFE HISTORY AND MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF CYCLOSIA PAPILIONARIS (DRURY) (LEPIDOPTERA: ZYGAENIDAE) MOTH: A SERIOUS PEST OF LOTKON IN BANGLADESH

ABSTRACT: Cyclosia papilionaris (Durry 1773) is commonly known as the Drury Jewel moth. The larvae of this moth defoliate the delicate leaves of young trees and nursery plants of lotkon fruit (Burmese grape). There is a lack of sufficient biological information regarding the management of this pest. The aim of this study is to observe and record the developmental stages information (egg to adult) with descriptive images, including feeding behaviour and nature of damage. The biology of the moth was studied in laboratory conditions on their host plants. The study was carried out at a temperature of 27.61°C ± 3.85 and 69% ± 4.58 relative humidity. The female deposited eggs in clusters, and each cluster contains a maximum of 68 eggs and a minimum of 18 eggs with the mean of 36. The total larval period (1st instar to 4th instar) was 20.09± 1.61 days, and the pupal period was 28.09± 6.56 days. The pupal cocoon was constructed using a plastic substrate combined with leaves, thus offering substantial support for the laboratory rearing method. The female moth lived longer, 17.82± 2.48 days, than the male moth, 5.73± 0.65 days. The results of this study are expected to provide valuable support for managing this pest in an agroecosystem. 

Keywords: Morphology, Drury Jewel moth, Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae, Lotkon