A comparative study of morphological characterization and developmental biology of Maruca vitrata (Fabricius, 1787) populations across India

Aim: The legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius, 1787), is an agriculturally important and major economic insect-pest of leguminous crops cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to analyse the morphological and biological variations in different M. vitrata populations collected from eight legume-growing locations in India. Methodology: The morphometric characteristics and various developmental stages of M. vitrata populations collected from eight locations of India were studied. Under controlled laboratory conditions, the immature stages of eight populations were reared until maturity. Subsequently, the data on life cycle duration, morphometric observations of different larval instars, fecundity, and sex ratio were collected and growth indices were analyzed. Results: Significant geographic variation was observed among the eight M. vitrata populations, with clear differences in developmental durations, and total life cycle. Morphometric comparisons revealed consistent regional differences in body dimensions, while larval chaetotaxy remained conserved. Interpretation: This study provide a crucial understanding of its biology, as well as its morphologically important phenotypic traits. These comparative data on detailed bionomic and morphological aspects may aid in the formulation of effective and phenology-based integrated pest management strategies for this economically important lepidopteran insect pest of legume. Key words: Developmental biology, Geographical variation, Legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata, Morphometric analysis, Pigeonpea