Occurrence of Pyrausta panopealis on sweet basil Ocimum basilicum in India

Aim: The present study aimed at reporting the occurrence of pest, Pyrausta panopealis on sweet basil Ocimum basilicum. The biological parameters and population dynamics of the pest was studied on its newly reported host plant. Methodology: Description of P. panopealis was done using morphological and molecular approaches. Male and female genitalia of adults were dissected for morphological identification. DNA was isolated from insect sample (adult legs) and amplified using mtCOI primers (LCO 1490; HCO 2198). The larva of P. panopealis was reared on sweet basil under laboratory conditions for observing the growth parameters. Results: Male genitalia with distinct spoon-shaped clasper; female genitalia corpus bursae with appendix bursa. The sequenced DNA product was submitted to NCBI- GenBank (Accession No: Mk559412). The mean incubation period, larval period and pupal period of the pest was 3.19 days; 13.81 days; 5.40 and 6.27 days. The total life span of male and female insects ranged from 22 to 33 days and 24 to 35 days, respectively. The fecundity of adult varied from 91 to 131 (average 111.75 eggs). The peak population of pest (11.5 larvae/ plant) was recorded during 32nd standard meteorological week, during which all the observed plants were infested by larvae of P. panopealis. Interpretation: This is the first report of association between P. panopealis and sweet basil. The data on life cycle parameters, seasonal incidence and severity can be used for developing integrated pest management strategies to P. panopealis on sweet basil.