Morphology and Biology

• The eggs are stalked and green in colour. The length of the egg in various species ranges between 0.7 to 2.3 mm and that of the stalk between 2 to 26 mm.
• The eggs are laid singly or in clusters. Eggs turn pale whitish and then black before hatching. Egg period lasts 3-4 days.
• The larva is white in colour on hatching. The larva has 3 instars which are completed in 8-10 days. The larva spins a cocoon from which the adult emerges in 5-7 days.
• Adults on emergence mate repeatedly. Generally, pre-oviposition period lasts for 3-7 days.
• Adult females start laying eggs from 5th day onwards and peak egg-laying period is between 9-23 days after emergence.
• The male longevity is 30-35 days and female can even live up to 60 days. Fecundity is 600-800 eggs female-1.
• The sex ratio Male: Female is 1: 0.85. The adult males and females live 41 and 53 days respectively.