Biology of the Fiery Skipper, Hylephila phyleus (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), a Turfgrass Pest in Hawaii

Abstract

Field collected females of the fiery skipper, Hylephila phyleus (Drury), oviposited almost immediately when placed in a screen cage 24 * 24 x 24 cm and held in the greenhouse under natural daylight at diurnal temperatures of 26.S to 3S.0°C. Oviposition medium was closely cut FB-137 bermudagrass, Cynodon spp. More than 60% of the eggs, deposited singly, were placed on the lower surface of blades. There were no sexual differences in larval size or developmental rate. Laboratory reared females began ovipositing on the third day following eclosion peaking during the fifth through the ninth day. Laboratory reared females produced more viable eggs when held in a 61 * 99 * 66 cm cage than in a 24 x 24 x 24 cm cage, indicating a possible need for greater flight activities for normal reproductive development.