Studies on growth and development of Scutellera nobilis F. on jatropha under laboratory conditions

A study on growth and development of scutellerid bugs, Scutellera nobilis Fabricius on Jatropha revealed that a single female of buglaid 70 to 89 eggs during the life-span. Usually eggs were barrel in shape with slight yellow in colour and one or two days later the colour was changed to pinkish red. Eggs were hatched into nymphs within 5 to 7 days. There were five nymphal instars and the total nymphal period was 24–29 days. Neonate nymph was red in colour, whereas the later instar nymphs were pinkish in colour with transverse black band on the abdomen. The adult was metallic green in colour with eight black spots on the elytra and two spots on scutellum.