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LEPIDOPTERA, Noctuidae -- <Images> & <Juveniles> 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 which 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. 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 which 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 ] |