THE LIFE HISTORY OF PALIGA DAMASTESALIS WALKER (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALOIDEA: CRAMBIDAE), A TEAK SKELETONISER IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

The life history of Paliga damastesalis Walker was studied under laboratory and field conditions. Paliga damastesalis took between 23 and 32 days in the laboratory and between 22 and 29 days in the field to complete its life cycle from egg to adult. The developmental periods for the egg, larva and pupa varied respectively from 4 to 6, 13 to 15, and 5 to 11 days in the laboratory and from 4 to 6, 13 to 15, and 5 to 8 days under field conditions. The life history had five larval instars and a distinct prepupal period. The longevity of male and female adults, reared on different diets, ranged from 3 to 10 days. Females laid an average of 135 eggs in the laboratory.