Morphological and biological characteristics of Heortia vitessoides
Author of the article:QIAO Hai-Li1, LU Peng-Fei2, CHEN Jun1*, XU Chang-Qing1, MA Wei-Si1, QIN Rong-Min3, LI Xiang-Ming3, CHENG Hui-Zhen1
Author's Workplace:1. Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College2. Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Beijing Forestry University3.Huazhou Green Life Co. Ltd
Key Words:Heortia vitessoides, Aquilaria sinensis, morphological characteristics, biology, life history, natural enemy
Abstract: Heortia vitessoides is a serious defoliator pest of Aquilaria sinensis forests in recent years. In southern China the larvae of H. vitessoide solely feed on the leaves of A. sinensis. The morphological and biological characteristics of H. vitessoide were studied with laboratory observation and field investigation. The moth had eight generation per year in Huazhou, Guangdong Province and over-wintered as pupa. The adults began to emerge in mid-April. Generations overlapping began in the last ten days of May, and were very serious between the first and second generation of H. vitessoide. The whole generation duration was 28~32 days, and the over-wintering stage lasted three months. Eggs were laid on the back of young leaves of A. sinensis, and their developmental duration were 3~4 days. The hatchability of eggs was over 95%. The larvae had 5 instars and small larvae took food in groups. From the 3rd instars, the larvae began to feed leaves of A. sinensis dispersedly. The mature larvae pupated with cocoon in the depth of 2 cm of the soil or the fallen leaves. The development duration of pupa was 8~15 days. The emergence peaks of adults took placed at night. And the adults had strong phototaxy.