OBSERVATIONS ON THE LIFE HISTORY AND CHAETOTAXY OF STREPSICRATES RHOTHIA (MEYRICK) (MICROLEPIDOPTERA : TORTRICIDAE : EUCOSMINI)

Strepsicrates rhothia (Meyrick) was fonnerly placed under the genus Spilonota Hubner by Meyrick (1910) and Diakonoff (1950). Later Clark (1958) after examination of the male genitalia suggested a new combination of the species under genus Strepsicrates Meyrick. Fletcher (1914) reported Eugenia janlbolana as its larval food plant from India whereas Clarke (1958) reported Psidium guava as its larval food plant from Sri Lanka. During the course of present studies, the larval food plant of Strepsicrates rhothia has been recorded as Woodfordia fruticosa (Linnaeus) (Lyrthraceae) (Plate -1, Fig. 5) from Sekhupur, Khalian, Sahni, Phagwara (Distt. Kapurthala, Punjab, India). The life history as well as chaetotaxy of the speices under reference has been studied for the first time on Woodfordia fruticosa.


INTRODUCTION
Strepsicrates rhothia (Meyrick) was fonnerly placed under the genus Spilonota Hubner by Meyrick (1910) and Diakonoff (1950).Later Clark (1958) after examination of the male genitalia suggested a new combination of the species under genus Strepsicrates Meyrick. Fletcher (1914) reported Eugenia janlbolana as its larval food plant from India whereas Clarke (1958) reported Psidium guava as its larval food plant from Sri Lanka.During the course of present studies, the larval food plant of Strepsicrates rhothia has been recorded as Woodfordia fruticosa (Linnaeus) (Lyrthraceae) (Plate -1, Fig. 5) from Sekhupur, Khalian, Sahni, Phagwara (Distt.Kapurthala, Punjab, India).The life history as well as chaetotaxy of the speices under reference has been studied for the first time on Woodfordia fruticosa.Methodology : Survey were conducted in different localities of Punjab from 2001-2004 to collect immature stages of Strepsicrates rhothia Meyrick.The eggs and different larval instars brought from field were kept in circular transparent containers, (each measuring 10 cm in diameter and 4.5 cm in depth).Subsequently, the later instars were shifted to relatively larger transparent containers (12 x 7 cm, 15 x 20 cm and 18 x 23 cm) furnished with fresh clippings of the food plants.The mature larvae nearing pupation were then shifted to still bigger rearing containers (18.5 cm in diameter and 12.5 cm depth) for pupation.The freshly emerged adults were transferred to the insect breeding cages of varied sizes.The rearing boxes were carefully examined twice a day in order to make observations on different life history aspects.The rearing boxes were cleaned at regular intervals by removing the faecal matter, dead insect stages and left over food plant clippings etc. for maintaining proper hygienic conditions.The fresh host plant cuttings were provided to the larvae for their proper development and also to minimize the mortality rate due to starvation.

Rec. zoot. Surv. India
The gross morphology, colouration and measurements of the eggs, different larval instars and the pupae were recorded with the help of occulometer, taking a mean of 5 specimens of each stage.
The newly emerged adults were kept on an artificial diet consisting of 10% sugar solution to record their longevity.For the purpose of examination of chaetotaxy, the last instar larvae were first killed by dipping in boiling hot water before preserving them in nine parts of 75% ethyl alcohol and one part of glycerine (Stehr, 1987).Some of the individuals were also killed in KAAD solution (10 ml kerosene, 90 ml 95% ethyl alcohol, 20 ml glacial acetic acid and 10 ml dioxane) to preserve the original colouration of the larvae, as advocated by Peterson (1948).The larvae were kept in this solution for a few minutes to half an hour depending upon the size of the larva for full distension, before storing the same in 95% ethyl alcohol.After dehydration, the chaetotaxy of the head was examined by placing the same in glycerine in a cavity slide.For skin preparation, the body of each larva was stained in 1 % eosin solution, followed by dehydration and clearing in xylene before mounting it permanently on a glass slide in Canada balsam.For naming the setae and pores, the nomenclature proposed by Heinrich (1916), Hinton (1946) and Stehr (1987) has been fo11owed.The terminology for naming the setae of the AIO segment has been adopted from Allyson (1976) andStehr (1987).
Length 0.57 ± 0.03, width 0.48 ± 0.10; scale-like, somewhat oval in shape, chorion rough with minute small reticulations; cream, turns dark orange-red after two days, three black spots appear on egg surface prior to hatching; laid singly or in a batch of 2 to 4 on both lower and upper sides of leaf.
Length 8.50 ± 0.50 mm; width 2.75 ± 0.50; newly fonned pupa cream, after 4 to 5 hours turns brown, approaching eclosion it becomes black; mesothorax with median carinate ridge usually extending along the cephalic half, indistinct on metathorax; second abdominal segment with two rows of spines distinct.

OBSERVATIONS ON BEHAVIOUR
Larval behaviour: The entire egg-shell is almost consumed by the first instar, leaving behind only a minute scar-like portion.The first instar larva folds the margins of the tender leaf with the help of silken threads to make a concealment, which is formed by joining 3-5 leaves together in the later instars.The first instar larva feeds on the upper epidermis and chlorophyll of the leaf, leaving behind the vein network and lower epidermis.The succeeding two instars follow the same pattern and mode of feeding except that they do so on rather older leaves.The last instar consumes all layers and vein network of the leaf leaving behind the midrib alone.The faecal matter is always thrown out of the concealment in older instars.All instars, when disturbed, show drop off behaviour by silken threads or express splashing movements.The last instar when pinched with forceps exhibits spasmodic quick movements.
Moulting behaviour: It takes about 10-11 hours by the larva to shed off its skin.
Pupation : While attaining maturity, the larva stops feeding and remains in concealment.The colour of larva changes to orangish-brown, which turns maroonish-pink after 4-5 hours.The prepupa is brownish-green and this stage lasts for two days.The pupa is formed inside the leaf fold.The body moult remians at the pointed anal end of the pupa.
Pupal parasitoid : The different larval instars brought from field for further rearing in the laboratory undergo normal process of pupation.In many cases adult Hymenopteran parasitoids emerged after 4-5 days of the pupation instead of adult moth.
Eclosion : It is observed that eclosion takes place in the morning hours between 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m.

Adult behaviour:
The adult moths were seen emerging from the pupae in captivity and they mated on second day of emergence in the morning hours.The end to end mating lasts about 45 minutes to 1 hour.After twenty-four hours of mating, it was observed that the female laid single eggs on either surface of the leaf.A few eggs were also noticed on the bottom and walls of the glass jar.

Chaetotaxy of Last Instar :
Cephalic chaetotaxy (Plate-2, Figs. 1, 2) : Cranium moderately sclerotized, golden brown; median epicranial suture much shorter in length than lateral adfrontal suture; frontoclypeus longer than broad; ecdysial line close to lateral adfrontal suture at base, otherwise well apart; stemmatal area not well differentiated from rest of cranium, beset with six stemmata, 1-6 stemmata arranged in a semicircle; in all 17 tactile setae, 4 proprioceptors and 8 pores present on each half of head capsule; all setae spine-like, arise from pinacula.
Frons comprised seta FI and pore Fa; FI closer to lateral margin of frons, directly posterad to C 2 ; puncture Fa beset near median longitudinal line of head capsule, present anterodorsad to Fl.
Clypeal group comprises setae C I and C 2 ; C I close to epicondyle, shorter than C 2 ; C 2 shifted towards median longitudinal line.Afrontal group bears two setae AFJ, AF2 and one pore AFa; AF2 longer than AF., situated in level to point where lateral adfrontals join median epicranial suture, AFI anterad and mesad to AF 2 ; pore AFa close to AFI than AF 2 • Anterodorsal area present in between stemmata and adfrontal area, bears setae AI, A 2 , A3 and pore Aa; Al in level of stemmata 3, lies towards median longitudinal line; A2 posterolaterad to A., but slightly anterad to A 3 ; A3 situated above the stemmata 2 and posterolaterad to A 2 ; A3 > Al > A2 lengthwise; pore Aa lies close and posteromesad to A 2 .Posteriodorsal group compires setae PI and P 2 along with pores Pa and Pb; PI longer than P 2 and anterolaterad to AF 2 ; P 2 posterolaterad to PI; pore Pa nearly equidistant from PI and P 2 and lies anterolaterad to PI; pore Pb situated near PJ, but lies in level of P2.Seta Ll represents lateral group; L t anterolaterad to P 2 • Stemmatal area decorated with setae SJ, S2 and S3; SI situated inside the stemmatal semicircle, close but dorsocaudad to stemmata 3; S2 dorsolaterad to stemmata 1; S3 anterocaudad to S2; S3 > S2 > S I lengthwise.Substemmatal area studded with setae SS J, SS2 and SS3 with pore SSa; SS) ventrad to stemm a 6; SS2 caudad to stemm a 6; SS3 posterad to SS2; SS3 > SS2 > SSI lengthwise; pore SSa close and anterodorsad to SS3.Genal group represented by seta MG l and pore MGa; MG I lies at lower and rear portion of head; pore MGa lies anteroventrad to MGt.Dorsal epicranial area graced with proprioceptor setae MDJ, MD 2 , MD3 and pore MDa; MDI dorsad to P 2 ; M0 2 lies in middle of MDt and MD 3 ; M0 3 posterodorsad to MD 2 ; pore MDa lie posterodorsad to MD 2 .
T J (Plate-2, Fig. 3) : Prothoracic shield brown, well sclerotized, elongated, roughly trough shaped, anterior margin straight, posterior margin with edges rounded; each half comprises six setae and two pores; XD group lie near anterior margin of shield; XD t anterodorsad to XD 2 ; XDa present posterodorsad to XD t ; pore XDb dorsad to XD 2 ; XDa and XD I situated close to each other.Dorsal group present near posterior margin of shield; DI posterodorsad to XD I and close to middorsal line; D2 anterolaterad to D); DI and D2 closer than XD) and X0 2 ; D2 longer than 0 1 • Setae SOl and S02 of subdorsal group lying near lateral margin of shield; SD I anterolaterad to and longer than SD 2 ; latter anterolaterad to O 2 .Lateral group trisetose, composed of setae LJ, L2 and L3 raised on common long pinaculum, present anterior to spiracle; LI and L2 lie close to each other than L 3 ; LI ventrad to SD 2 ; L2 anterad to L l ; L3 posteroventrad to L l ; LI > L3 > L2 lengthwise.Subventral group located above leg base, bisetose, beset on common pinaculum; SY 2 shorter and anterad to SY}.Ventral seta V I, present below coxa near midventral line.Microscopic setae comprises two groups MXO and MV; MXO I close to 0 1 and O 2 and lie close to anterior margin of thoracic shield; MV 3 posteroventrad to MV 2. T2 and T3 (Plate-2, Fig. 4) : Dorsal group represented by two setae 0 1 and O 2 raised on common rounded pinaculum; D} anterodorsad to and smaller than D 2 .Subdorsal group bisetose with setae SOl and SD 2 ; SO} and SD 2 beset on common oblong pinaculum, present anterolaterad to dorsal pinaculum; SD I posterolaterad to SD 2 ; SOl much longer than S02.Lateral group composed of setae L J , L2 and L 3 ; L) and L2 lie on common pinaculum and close to each other; Ll anteroventrad to SOl; L2 anteroventrad to L I ; L3 posterodorsad to L 2 ; LI > L2 = L3 lengthwise.Subventral group comprises only single seta SV J, posteroventrad to L 3 .Seta V I situated ventrad to base of leg near midventralline.Microscopic seta MDI situated close to anterior margin of segment and anterolaterad to O 2 ; proprioceptors MSD 1 and MS0 2 lie anterad to subdorsal pinaculum; MSD I anterodorsad to MS0 2 ; microsetae MV J, MV 2 and MV 3 lie opposite leg; MV 3 posteroventrad to MY 1 and latter anteroventrad to MV 2.

Abdominal Chaetotaxy :
A f, Ab A 7, Ax Figs. 8,10,11) : Setae of dorsal group DI and D2 lie near middorsalline of segment; DI lies near middorsal line of segment and anterodorsad to D2; latter longer and posteroventrad to D 1 ; in segment As, D2 almost posterad to D I. Subdorsal group represented by setae SD 1 and SD 2 ; SD I longer than SD 2 ; SD 2 microscopic in segments Al and A2; SDI posterodorsad to spiracle; SD 2 anterodorsad to spiracle; in segment A 7 , SDI lies directly above spiracle; SD2 anterodorsad to spiracle; in segment As, SDI anterodorsad to spiracle; SD2 anteroventrad to SD1; anteroventrad to 02; S02 beset near lateral margin of shield, anteroventrad to SOl; S02 longer than SOl.Lateral group lies at dorsal margin of anal leg with seta LI being anteriormost; ~ posteroventrad to L I ; L3 closer and dorsad to L 2 ; a pore present anterad to L 3 .Subventral group comprised of setae SV I, SV 2, SV 3 and SV 4; SV I lies posteroventrad to L 3 ; SV 2 ventrad to SV I; SV 3 anteroventrad to L2; SV 4 posteroventrad to SV 3. Ventral seta V I lies near midventral line.
Renlarks : The species Strepsicrates rhothia (Meyrick) is available during the months of October and November in Kapurthala district of Punjab.The damage done by the species to its food plant is moderate.The species is previously reported from India (Bengal), Sri Lanka and Mauritius (Clarke, 1958).The present record from Kapurthala district of Punjab forms the second report of the species from India.
latter and SD 2 lie on common oval pinaculum.Lateral group trisetose, represented by setae LJ, L2 and L 3 ; LI and L2 lie on common pinaculum and lie all apart from L I; L3 > LI > Lz lengthwise; LI anteroventrad to spiracle; L2 anterodorsad to L 1 ; L3 posteroventrad to L I .Setae SV], SV2 and SV3 subventral group; in segments Al and Ai subventral group trisetose, anteroventrad to L 3 ; SV 2 anteroventrad to SV I; SV 3 anterodorsad to SV I; SV I > SV 3 > SV 2 lengthwise; in segments A7 and As, subventral group bisetose with setae SV I and SV 2; SV I anteroventrad to L 3 ; SV 2 smaller and anteroventrad to SV I .Ventral seta VI present near midventral line.Proprioceptors MD and MV present; MDI lie close to anterior margin of segment and anterolaterad to D I ; in segment A7 and As, MV 3 lies anteroventrad to SV 2 .A J , A 4 , A5 and A6 (Plate-2, Figs. 7, 9) : Prolegs present on these segments.Setae DI and D2 comprise dorsal group; D2 posteroventrad and longer than D I .Setae SDI and SD 2 make up subdorsal group; SD I situated above spiracle and anteroventrad to D 2 ; seta SD 2 very minute and anteroventrad to SD I .Lateral group comprises three setae L I , L2 and L 3 ; LI and L2 lie on common pinaculum and close to each other; L2 anterolaterad to spiracle; L. posteroventrad to L 2 ; L3 wide apart and posteroventrad to L.; L3 > L. > L2 lengthwise.Subventral group trisetose with setae SV., SV 2 and SV 3 situated on dorsal area of proleg; SV 1 anteroventrad to L 3 ; SV 2 lies inbetween SV t and SV 3 and anteroventrad to SV 1; SV 3 anteroventrad to SV 2; SV 1 > SV 2 > SV 3 lengthwise.Towards ventral meson, lies seta VI of ventral group.Proprioceptor MDI present anterolaterad to D 1 ; microscopic seta MV 3 present infront of coxa.Crochets biordinal and arranged in circle.A9 (Plate-2, Fig. ] 2) : Dorsal group representated by setae DI and D 2 ; latter lies near middorsal line of segment and longer and posterodorsad to D 1 ; D2 setae of both sides share common oval pinaculum.Subdorsal group unisetose with seta SD 1 lying on oblong pinaculum with seta D 1 ; SDI posterolaterad to D 1 • Lateral group trisetose with setae L}, L2 and L3 lying on oblong common pinaculum; L2 posteroventrad to SD I ; LI posteroventrad to L 2 ; L3 posteroventrad to L I ; LI > L2 > L3 lengthwise.Subventral group bisetose; SV I posterodorsad to SV 2. Seta VI lies near midventral line.Microscopic setae MD and MV present; MDI anterolaterad to D 2 ; MV 3 anteroventrad to SV 2. AIO (Plate-2, Figs. 6, 13) : Anal shield well developed; oblong; anal fork present; Dl present near anterior margin of shield; Dl longer than D2 in length; D2 lies at distal margin of shield.SD I