BIOLOGY OF THE GREATER SPIKE MOTH, Tirathaba rufivena Walker

Abstract

The biology of the greater spike moth Tirathaba rufivena Walker, an important insect pest of coconut, was studied in the laboratory. The Insect underwent 5 larval instars and its developmental period from egg hatching to adult emergence varied slightly between sexes, the males with a mean of 33.65 days and the females 34.91 days. The adult male and female moths lived for an average of 4.29 days and 5.25 days, respectively. The greater spike moth larva is cruciform, brownish white with alternating 2 and 4 brown dots on each body segment. The adult is a light brown moth with green reflection and bright red veins on the forewings. A tiny black braconid parasite was found attacking the larva of the greater spike moth.