Bionomics of tobacco caterpillar Spodoptera Litura (Fab.) A leaf-eating caterpillar affecting soybean crop

In present study hatching of the eggs was observed in the early morning hours with the incubation period of 3.30±0.00 days. The third, fourth and fifth instar larvae were voracious feeders eating the whole leaf blade leaving only the midrib intact and the total larval period lasted for about 12 to 17 days with an average of 14.5±4.95 days on soybean. The pupal-period lasted for 7-9 days with an average of 7±1.41 days. Adult male longevity was 6 to 8 days with an average of 7±1.41 days and female ranged from 7 to 9 days with an average of 8.5±0.71 days. Thus, entire life cycle of S. litura was completed in 28.7 to 38.5 days with an average of 33.4±6.93 days under laboratory condition.