Oviposition periodicity, egg morphology and life history of large cabbage moth Crocidolomia pavonana population in Samoa

Abstract

A study on the biology and behaviour of the Samoan population of Crocidolomia pavonana was carried out through a series of experiments. The study showed that C. pavonana completes its life cycle in 24-35 days. Female emerge, mate and oviposit (as egg mass) during the scotophase. The average size of egg mass was 9.0 ± 0.48 mm2 and the mean number of eggs oviposited were significantly (PC. pavonana oviposits small egg masses. This information could be used to develop effective pest management using the recently identified egg parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis.