Notes on the life history of Artona funeralis (Butler) (Zygaenidae)

Abstract

A series of observations on the life history of Artona funeralis (Butler) was carried out under the condition in the out-door insectarium as well as in the fields about Kyoto during two years. The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1) Three generations were performed through one year-round, and overwintering was carried out as the pupal stage. 2) Overwintering pupal generation emerged and oviposited during the period from mid May to mid June. 3) First generation performed during the period from late May to mid July, and second generation from mid July to early September. Larvae of third generation reached pupal stage at late October and entered into hibernaton. 4) Larval stage was completed through five instars, and the average duration of larval period in each generation was 30, 28, 40 days for the first, second and the third generation, respectively. 5) Longevity in adult stage was 1-6 days for female, and 1-9 days for male, the mean of which was 3.5, 4.0 days, respectively. 6) The average duration of the period performed in cocoon was 12, 12, 187 days for the first, second and the third generation, respectively. 7) Rate of hatching was 85%, 80%, 80%, that of pupation was 55%, 65%, 58%, and that of emergence was 48%, 56%, 12%, for the first, second and the third generation, respectively. 8) As a rule, adult females copulated after the lapse of one day from emergence and the oviposited usually at the next day of copulation. 9) Cocoons were composed of waxy substance, dark brown in color, ellipsoid in shape, and found usually under or inside of decayed bamboo or tree stems. 10) It was ascertained by a rearing experiment that females oviposited not only on bamboo leaves, but also on leaves of rice plants, and larvae derived from the either case showed no actual difference in development.