THE EFFECT OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY ON THE SURVIVAL AND FECUNDITY OF ADULT AND NYMPHAL INSTARS OF Lohita grandis (LARGIDAE: HETEROPTERA) IN LABORATORY CONDITION

Lohita grandis (Heteroptera : Pyrrhocoridae) is a phytophagous bug, adult occur on a number of host plants (Trewia nudiflora, Mallatus phillippensis, Putronjiva roxburghii etc.). In the current study, laboratory investigations were carried out to determine the effects of various levels of relative humidity i.e 0%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 90% and 100% at constant optimum temperature 270C on adult and nymphal instars of Lohita grandis. It is observed that the optimum level of relative humidity for the survival of adult Lohita grandis was 90±5%. Relative humidity of 90% was more favourable for male where 100% relative humidity was more favourable for female. Optimum relative humidity level for nymphal instars is 70% at which minimum duration and high percentage of moulting occurred.