Biological study of nine spotted moth Amata phegea L., (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) in laboratory conditions

The genus Euphorbia L. of Euphorbiaceae family has poisonous sap in all plant parts. These are sparsely scattered in west Azerbaijan rangelands. Amata phegea of Arctiidae family feed on leaf، flower and bulbs of Euphorbia species. In this research، biology of this insect was studied in controlled conditions. Result indicated that larvae of A. phegea feed on leaf and flowers of Euphorbia. In controlled condition (25ºc)، the mean number of egg per female and fecundity potential was 104 and 122، respectively Maximum egg number in each group was 61. Result showed that incubation period was 6 dayes. Amata phegea has five larval instars. Larval period prolonged 30±2 days. Prepupation، pupation and longevity of adults prolonged 3±0. 5، 7±0. 5 and 6. 5±0. 5days، respectively. The egg to adult period was 51±2days. A. phegea has 3 generations in a year. This insect overwinters as pupa.