Abstract
Oviposition and larval feeding habits of the pea blue, Lampides boeticus L. on the lablab bean, Dolichos lablab L. were studied in the field and laboratory. In the field, most of the eggs were laid on the young flower buds in an apical position in the order of inflorescence, but few on the undeveloped flower buds, open flowers, pods, leaves, and stems. The 1st- and 2nd-instar larvae were found mainly in young flower buds, whereas the 3rd- and 4th-instar larvae were found in flowers or pods. The 1st- and 2nd-instar larvae attacked exclusively the anthers of flower buds. This characteristic feeding habit was also demonstrated by a laboratory test, i.e. the newly-hatched larvae inoculated on young flower buds penetrated within 24hr into the distal part of the flower buds where the anthers were located, and consumed them selectively. Larvae inoculated on the pods were not successful in penetrating into them and they died or dispersed.
