Study on Some Biological Characteristics of Euxoa agricola Boisduval, 1829 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Laboratory Conditions

The artichokes moth, Euxoa agricola Boisduval is a most important pest on artichokes in Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad. Larvae of this insect from leaves and young branches and also stems of the artichokes are fed and in addition to damage, caused general weakness and reduced plant growth. This research with aim study of duration of different life stages of pest, during the years 2007 to 2009 in the province Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad was conducted. Sampling in nature base on weekly, random and two – stage cluster sampling method, during the year was conducted. In this study, the biology of Euxoa agricola on artichokes was investigated under laboratory condition with temperatures 24 ± 2º and 27 ± 2º C, humidity 65 ± 10 % and photo period 16: 8 L: D. The results revealed that adults in late May of 2008 gradually began to appear in nature and laid eggs. This pest in Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad province has one generation a year. In laboratory condition, hatching period, during larval and pupation in temperatures 24 and 27 º C was 2.9 ± 0.1, 3.8 ± 0.1, 17.1 ± 0.4, 20.1 ± 0.5, 14.7 ± 0.5 and 9.8 ± 0.2 days, respectively. All life stages of the pest from egg to adult in temperatures 24 and 27 º C was 28.6 ± 0.7 and 32.7 ± 0.5 days respectively.

Artichokes moth, Euxoa agricola, Biology, Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad