Studies on Seasonal History, Host Range and Nature of Damage Caused by Asphadastis cryphomycha Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on Poplar in Punjab

The study on the scasonal history, host range and nature of damage was carried at the villages, Khera bet, Lalton and Tajpur in the Ludhiana district. Two peaks of the insect population were observed during April-June and September-November. The larval and pupal population per web varied from 0.00-6.85 and 0.00-0.55 respectively. The first and second instars of the leafwebber were found feeding on leaves along the midrib and vein whereas the third, fourth and fifth ins tars remained feeding inside the web, made by webbing 2-3 leaves together with silken threads. In the field twigs with webs varied from 10.00-67.50 per cent and webbed leaves/twigs varied from 20-60 percent.