Ecology and control of the sweetpotato vine borer, Omphisa anastomosalis GUENEE: IV Seasonal emergence of overwintering larvae and oviposition habit

Laboratory surveys were conducted to clarify the seasonal emergence of overwinting larvae and oviposition habit of sweetpotato vine borer, Omphisa anastomosalis GUENEE in Amami Oshima island in 1989-1991. Overwinting larvae collected in the field emerged from the begining of April to the middle of May. Most of the adults emerged by midnight from p. m. 8:00. to p. m. 12:00. Mating behavior were observed soon after emergence. Females began to oviposit within 1.5±0.5 days and longevity of females were 3.6±1.3 days. Females laid 130.0±79.3 eggs in life and most of the eggs were singly oviposited on the leaf and petiole of sweetpotato. Ovipositing, mating and flying were observed at night.