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Studies on the biology of the cowpea pod-borer, Maruca testulalis in Kenya—I. Determination of the larval instars

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

J. B. Odebiyi
Affiliation:
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
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Abstract

The head capsule widths of larvae of the cowpea pod-borer Maruca testulalis, reared individually and crowded together in the laboratory were measured. The measurements were subjected to a test of analysis of variance, frequency distribution and Dyar's rule. All methods gave a total of five larval instars in the life cycle and conformed to Dyar's rule. There was a high positive correlation (r = 0.97) between the size of the head capsule and the period of development elapsing. The minimum duration of larval development was 9 days.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1981

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References

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