Life History and Biology of Samea multiplicalis1 , 2

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Abstract
The life history and biology of Samea multiplicalis was studied in Gainesville, FL. Specimens reared individually on Pistia and Salvinia at 28±1°C with a 14 h light, 10 dark photoperiod, had either 5 (64%) or 6 (36%) larval instars. The average duration of egg, larval and pupal stages was 4, 15.6 and 5.2 days respectively. Head and frons widths and stage durations are reported for each instar. S. multiplicalis has 3 main host plants in Florida: Azolla caroliniana , Pistia stratiotes and Salvinia rotundifolia . Under rare circumstances S. multiplicalis may attack Eichhornia crassipes . Oviposition was significantly higher on Pistia vs. either Salvinia or Azolia , and higher on the top of Pistia leaves rather than the bottom. Oviposition could not be induced on Eichhornia . The average number of eggs laid by females reared and mated in the laboratory was 73. Wild collected females averaged 94 eggs. The maximum number of eggs laid by a female was 291. One dipterous and 3 hymenopterous parasites were reared from S. multiplicalis . Parasitism was estimated to be 52% at Port Charlotte, FL.

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