Indian Journal of Entomology

Cionus hortulans Geoffroy has been observed as a major pest of Verbascum thapsus, an important medicinal plant. Both larvae and adults feed externally on the tender leaves and young blossoms causing heavy damage. Adults emerge at the end of May, breeding starts from third week of June and continue till October, overwinter in the soil and leaf litter and a mean incidence of 82.50±1.37% had been recorded. Copulation normally lasts for 30–45 min. and females oviposit in the perianth of the flower bud and generally lay 1 or 2 eggs. Egg, larval and pupal periods are 2–4, 12–17 and 10–13 days respectively. Larvae are yellowish white, apodous, elongate, with a small black head and pass through four instars. Total life cycle takes about 45–56 days with a mean of 50.2±1.32 days. At least two generations observed from first week of June to October.