Philippine E-Journals

Biology Of The Greater Spike Moth, Tirathaba Rufivena Walker

Lorenza B. de Pedro | Dely P. Gapasin | Lucia M. Maramara

 

Abstract:

The biology of the greater spike moth Tirathaba rufivena Walker, an Important Insect pest of coconut, was studied In the laboratory. The Insect underwent 5 larval lnstars and Its developmental period from egg hatching to adult emergence varied slightly between sexes, the males with a mean of 33.65 days and the females 34.91 days. The adult male and female moths lived for an average of 4.29 days and 5.25 days, respectively. The greater spike moth larva Is cruciform, brownish white with alternatlng 2 and 4 brown dots on each body segment. The adult Is a light brown moth with green reflection and bright red veins on the forewlngs. A tiny black braconld parasite was found attacking the larva of the greater spike moth. tactic acid bacteria using tryptone glucose yeast extract brom-cresol green actldione agar, Beijerlnck agar with Andrade's Indicator plus actidione and tomato juice agar plus actldlone. Acetic acid bacteria isolated from tuba and lambanog toddy were Identified as Gluconobacter oxydans (Acetobacter oxydans), Acetobacter aceti subsp. xylinum (A. xylinum) and A. peroxydans with G. oxydans predominating. A. peroxy-dans was the predominant acetic acid bacterium in tuba and lambanog toddy on the day of purchase and G. oxydans 3 days after purchase. Among the lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus h1lgardii, L. fermentum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides were present with L. hilgardii predominating. L. hilgardii was also the predominant species present in tuba and /ambanogtoddy 6 days after purchase.