Biological and Ecological Studies of Calliteara cerigoides (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae), a Polyphagous Defoliator of Southeast Asian Dipterocarpaceae

Larvae of Calliteara cerigoides (WALKER) (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae) were encountered as important herbivores of the dipterocarp trees Shorea javanica K. & V. and Hopea odorata ROXB. Feeding preference tests indicated that while C. cerigoides is polyphagous, it feeds preferentially on dipterocarps. The urticating effects of larval setae appear to be caused by the structure of numerous apically-directed tines. Eggs hatched in 10.4±1 (x^^-±SD) days, and larval instars were 7-9 days in duration. Female C. cerigoides deposited masses of 283±274 eggs on tree trunks in an experimental forest. The parasitoid wasps Mescomys orientalis FERRIERE (Eupelmidae) and Tyndarichus navae HOWARD ? (Encyrtidae) were reared from eggs. The rate of parasitism for eggs in a field study was 78%, suggesting that biological control of C. cerigoides is possible.