File: <noctu1.ima.htm> [For educational purposes only] Terminology Glossary <Principal Natural
Enemy Groups > <Citations> |
Immature
Stages of Noctuidae
Detailed information on immature stages of Noctuidae is being
acquired. However, Clausen (1940)
discussed the family in some detail. Principal members of Noctuidae that are
predaceous are found in the Genus Eublemma,
although a few species of Cerynea
and Catoblemma are also
predaceous. They feed generally on
all stages of lecaniine Coccidae, especially those that lay large numbers of
eggs in a chamber below the parent scale.
Genera most often found attacked are Ceroplastes, Lecanium,
Saissetia, and Laccifer. Infrequent attack was recorded also on Pulvinaria, Philippia, Pseudococcus, Margarodes,
Anomalococcus and Eriococcus. Please CLICK on
picture to view details: Eublemma scitula Ramb. has been found to
be predatory on many coccid species in various parts of the world. It is thought to be an important natural
enemy of Pulvinaria in
India. The larvae feed principally on
nearly fully grown host scales of Saissetia
(Rouzaud 1893); however, Balachowsky (1928) believed that they were strictly
egg feeders. E. cocciphaga
Meyr is thought to feed mainly on immature scales on foliage and twigs. Larvae of these species cover the body
with a light silken web to which numerous host remains are attached. This serves as a shield that is carried
about, presumably as a protection from ants.
E. amabilis Moore is a serious
pest of the lac insect in India (Misra 1924, Misra et al. 1930). Its feeding behavior is similar to that of
Holocera pulvera Meyr., on the same
host. Pupation occurs within the
larval tunnel, while in the free-living E.
scitula and E. cocciphaga it occurs in
situ under the shield-like
covering, which is fastened at its margins to the leaf or twig surface. Up to 6 generations per year occur in
India, but 2 is more common for species of temperate climates. Feeding behavior of E. rubra
Hamp in Java was described by Jacobson (1913). The shield is moved forward to cover the Lecanium scale, and its margin is then fastened to the
twig with strands of silk. After
protecting itself from disturbance, the caterpillar proceeds to tear a hole
in the scale dorsum and devour the body contents. Catoblemma sumbavensis Hamp. carries a
similar shield and attacks Laccifer
in the same manner (Clausen 1940/1962). Eggs are laid singly or in clusters either on the host scales or
in their vicinity. In E. amabilis, they are placed only on scales that have begun
the secretion of the waxy covering; and those of several species have been
described as yellowish, brown, or blue-black, with a distinctive surface
sculpture. Larvae of a number of
phytophagous species of noctuids have a pronounced cannibalistic tendency,
and Heliothis dipsacea L. is a frequent
predator on pupae of Ascia rapae L. in California (Clausen
1940/1962) References: Please refer to <biology.ref.htm>, [Additional references may be found at: MELVYL Library] |