2012, 25(4): 535-539.
Dasychira dudgeoni is one of the main insect pests on Camellia oleifera in southern China. So far, there are no reports on the biocharacteristics of this insect. In this study, the biological characteristics of D. dudgeoni were investigated by field survey and laboratory observation. D. dudgeoni has 2—3 generations each year, and overwinters as eggs in Zhejiang Province. The eggs hatch during late February and early March. The first to third instar larva feed on the lower surface of leaves or the pericarp of the fruit. Later they feed mainly on leaves. The mature 5th instar larva move to lower leaves and combine two complete leaves by spinning silk into a ridge shaped cocoon then pupate inside. The female adults stay on the surface of the cocoon waiting for the male adult to mate. And the next day, the females lay eggs on the cocoon, then fly to the lower surface of leaves to oviposit.