Study of Life Cycle of Ocimum Leaf Folder Orphanostigma abruptalis (Lepidoptera; Crambidae) on Sweet Basil in Ambient Condition

The Ocimum leaf folder, Ocimum abruptalis, is listed as a serious pest of sweet basil among all of the insect pests able to infect sweet basil (O. basilicum). The larvae do considerable damage to the plants by attaching to the underside of the leaf, folding it lengthwise from the midrib, and webbing it until it falls off. The findings of this experiment revealed that the total life cycle of Ocimum leaf folder were completed in 25-36 days in laboratory conditions with incubation period of 3-6 days, larval period with 9-14 days, Pupal period with 4-6 days, total developmental period was 16-25 days and adult longevity was 9-12 days on fresh sweet basil leaves.