Length 1.4 ± 0.31 mm, width 0.5 ± 0.21 mm. The female adults usually lay eggs in pairs, rarely in triplets or as a single egg. The eggs are surrounded by a sticky secretion and covered with debris and excrement. The newly laid eggs are generally ivory-white, covered with a milky-white soft secretion. After several hours, the eggs turn brown and the secretion becomes sclerotized (Fig. 7). Egg are elongate-oval. The egg chorion is covered with raised networks of ridges (Fig. 8), and the two adjoining polygonal cells share the same ridge (Figs 8–9). The anterior pole of the chorion has smaller cells and taller ridges than the lateral chorion (Fig. 8).

Length 3.0 ± 0.53 mm, width 1.2 ± 0.26 mm. Body flattened dorso-ventrally, lateral margins moderately paralleled, the widest (without lateral scoli) across prothorax (Fig. 1), body surface finely granulate. Head light brown, mandibles dark brown, each lateral side of head with five stemmata and small pigmented spot. Three stemmata distinct round and black placed near antenna, other two partly pigmented (Fig. 10); thorax and abdominal segment I to VII translucent-white, abdominal segment VIII brown or dark brown (Fig. 1).

Figures 1–6. 

Octodonta nipae (Maulik) body dorsal view. 1 first instar (spiracles are indicated) 2 second instar 3 third instar (tubercles are arrowed) 4 fourth instar 5 prepupa 6 pupa. Scale bar: 1mm.

Figures 7–15. 

Octodonta nipae (Maulik). 7 eggs 8 egg 9 surface of egg 10 head of first larva, front view 11 head of second instar, front view 12 head of third instar, front view 13 head of fourth instar, front view 14 head of prepupa, front view 15 head of prepupa, dorsal view.

Abdomen with eight pairs of lateral scoli on segments I to VIII, and a single pair of supra-anal processes. All lateral scoli not branched, slender and tapering, bearing six club-like setae. Distal segment with supra-anal processes caliper-like hooked, slightly sclerotized, curving slightly inward, each hook with three to four upward directed tiny teeth from base to apex, each teeth with a club-like seta apically.

Spiracles distinctly elevated, round; abdominal spiracles much smaller than mesothoracic spiracle, spiracle of abdominal segment VIII located in inner flank of carina (Fig. 1, arrows indicated).

Prothorax transverse, slightly wider than head, anterior margin convex, surface lightly sclerotized and finely granular; five short setae positioned at lateral margin, three long setae inserted at each ventro-lateral margin. Mesothorax much shorter than prothorax; lateral bulge distinct, bearing two long club-like setae, another long club-like seta on each postero-lateral side (Fig. 1); spiracle elevated, visible in ventral view. Metathorax as long as mesothorax, without spiracle, lateral bulge distinct (Fig. 1).

Head well sclerotized, slightly narrower than prothorax, partially retracted into prothorax (Fig. 1). Epicranial stem absent; median endocarina complete and wide extending between two distinct frontal arms, from close to the center of the posterior margin up to the position of the antenna; fronto-clypeal suture present, clypeo-labral suture present. Clypeus distinct, much wider than long. Antenna very short, three-segmented set in membranous ring, anterolaterally directed; segment I and II ring-like, one large sensorial appendage inserted ventrally on segment II, below segment III; segment III parallel-sided and as long as the sensorial appendage (Fig. 10). Five stemmata positioned behind the antenna, four of them in a row, another one positioned further back, pigmented spot placed below row of four distinctly marked stemmata (Fig. 10). Labrum sclerotized, wider than long, six setae positioned dorsally, anterior part with thick stout curve spines.

Body length 4.5–7.7 mm, width 1.9–3.2 mm (Table 1). Abdomen wider than head and thorax. Head capsule much wider than long, anterior margin convex and evenly rounded laterally, finely granular. Supra-anal processes strongly carinate and sclerotized, curving slightly inward, each dorsal carina with four to six upward directed large teeth from base to apex, lateral carina bearing with two to four large teeth; two setae positioned on tiny tubercle near inner margin of processes (Fig. 3, arrow indicated).

Length 8.0 ± 0.42 mm, width 3.4 ± 0.32 mm. Head light brown, mandibles black, labrum dark brown, stemmata concolorous with surrounding area, no pigment (Fig. 14); thorax and abdominal segment I to VII light brown, anterior margin and lateral scoli of abdominal segment VIII brown, last segment brown or dark brown (Fig. 5); each abdominal tergum II to VII with ten dark brown sclerotized spines (Fig. 5).

Body flattened dorso-ventrally, elongate-oval, widest across abdominal segment V. Abdomen with eight pairs of lateral scoli and a pair of short supra-anal processes (Fig. 5). Lateral scoli slender and tapering, finely denticulate (Figs 5, 33) and bearing six long club-like setae (Fig. 25). Supra-anal processes caliper-like hooked, strongly carinate and sclerotized, each dorsal carina with five to six upward directed large teeth from base to apex, lateral carina bearing three to four large laterally directed tubercles with setae at apex, two setae positioned on tiny tubercle near inner margin of processes (Fig. 34, arrow indicated).

Setae of head club-like, blunt apically or pointed, club-like setae more or less of the same length with scoli setae, but some setae of head very short (Figs 22, 23, 27, 28). Setae of tergites short and pointed (Figs 35–38). Setae of legs club-like or long pointed (Fig. 43).

Dorsal side of prothorax with five pairs of tiny pointed setae (Figs 35, 44), four pairs arranged in row near posterior margin, one pair near middle of tergite; three pairs of blunt apical setae near anterior margin; five pairs of club-like setae along lateral margin. Dorsal side of mesothorax with five pairs of tiny pointed setae arranged in row along posterior margin (Figs 36, 44); three blunt apical setae near bulge and spiracle; three long club-like setae along lateral margin, two of them on the bulge and one behind the bulge. Dorsal side of metathorax with nine pairs of tiny pointed setae (Figs 37, 38, 44), two pairs positioned antero-quarterly of anterior margin, four pairs arranged in row along middle of tergite, three pairs of tiny pointed setae and one blunt apical setae arranged in row along postero-lateral margin; four pairs of club-like setae along lateral margin. Terga II to VII with ten setae placed on tubercles (Figs 5, 44): one pair near spiracle, two pairs near anterior margin, one pair near posterior margin, and another pair positioned centrally.

Nine pairs of spiracles (Fig. 5): one pair on the mesothorax and eight on abdomen. Mesothoracic spiracle tubular and distinct (Figs 5, 29), positioned laterally just behind prothorax; abdominal spiracles small, inner wall of spiracles finely granulate, entrance opened (Figs 30, 31). Spiracle of last segment abdomen round, larger than other abdominal spiracle, located in inner flank of dorsal carina (Figs 32, 34).

Head (Figs 14, 15, 17, 44) well sclerotized, shallowly retracted into prothorax, distinctly wider than long, but narrower than prothorax, lateral margin strongly rounded; dorsal surface finely granular, median endocarina well developed, widening and deepening from posterior margin to clypeal posterior margin, frontal arms extending from close to the center of the posterior margin up to the position of the antenna.

Stemma (Figs 14, 17). Position of stemmata similar with younger instars. All the stemmata concolorous with surrounding area, pale brown (Fig. 14).

Head with numerous setae, distribution of setae as shown in Figure 40.

Antenna (Figs 16, 24, 41). Antenna very short, three-segmented, anterolaterally directed set in membranous ring; segment I ring-like, with one tiny seta placed laterally (Figs 16, 41); segment II slightly wider than long, with one large conical sensory appendix apically, three setae laterally (Fig. 24) and one small peg-like sensillum placed between sensory appendage and antennal segment III; segment III as long as segment II, apical portion with six peg-like sensilla (Figs 16, 41).

Figures 16–21. 

Prepupa of Octodonta nipae (Maulik). 16 antenna 17 head, latero-front view 18 clypeus and labrum 19 mouthpart, ventral view 20 labial palp 21 head, ventral view. Abbreviations: c – clypeus; la – labrum; lp – labial palp; li – ligula; ma – mala; mp - maxillary palp; post – postmentum; pp – palpifer; pr – prementum; st - stipes.

Labrum bent down (Figs 18, 19), connected with the anterior clypeal margin, narrower than clypeus. Anterior margin with tufted setae, outer surface of labrum with six long pointed setae (Fig. 18).

Clypeus narrow and wide (Fig. 18), moderately sclerotized, arched in front view, anterior and posterior margin parallel. One blunt apical seta and one tiny pointed seta positioned latero-posterior (Fig. 18, arrows pointed).

Mandible heavily sclerotized (Figs 18, 42), triangular, short and compact, with three apical teeth; inner side of mandible sharp, dorsal side of mandible convex, dorsolateral side with one long and one short pointed seta (Figs 19, 42).

Maxilla with stipes long (Fig. 19), bearing two lateral setae. Mala larger than maxillary palp (Fig. 19), directing buccal cavity, with a large cluster of setae apically, seven long pointed setae below the cluster setae. Palpifer short (Fig. 19), with two setae, medial seta distinctly longer than lateral one. Maxillary palp short (Fig. 19), segment I cylindrical, with two setae, segment II conical, longer than segment I, three setae positioned flank, apical area with 11 sensilla. Labial palp one segmented (Figs 19, 20), finger-like, apex with a group of nine peg-like sensilla. Hypopharynx apex covered with numerous spines (Fig. 19). Submentum and mentum fused with basal portion of maxilla, one pair of setae near lateral margin of postmentum (Fig. 21). Prementum narrow with two short pointed setae (Fig. 21). Postmentum with two long pointed setae (Fig. 21).

Leg three-segmented (Figs 29, 43); coxa much wider than long, with setae arranged in three rows: first with two setae, second with three setae, third with two setae and one club-like seta; femur 1.6 times longer than wide, with seven long setae, two club-like setae, and one short seta close to the base, as show in figure 43; tibiotarsus stout, apically with one heavily sclerotized and curved single claw, armed apically six long setae around claw, and one club-like seta at middle.

Figures 22–28. 

Prepupa of Octodonta nipae (Maulik). 22 part of head, dorsal view 23 vertical setae of head 24 setae of antenna 25 seta of scolus 26 seta of abdomen 27 seta of head (Fb1, Fb2) 28 seta of head (Fc2). Abbreviations: Fa/b/c – frontal setae, row a/b/c; v – vertical setae.

Figures 29–32. 

Prepupa of Octodonta nipae (Maulik). 29 proleg and spiracle of mesothorax 30 spiracle of abdomen 31, 32 spiracle of last abdominal segment.

Figures 33–39. 

Prepupa of Octodonta nipae (Maulik). 33 scolus; 34 supra-anal process (showing the setae) 35 setae of prothorax 36 setae of mesothorax 37, 38 setae of metathorax 39 seta of supra-anal process.

Figures 40–45. 

Octodonta nipae (Maulik). 40 frontal side of head 41 antenna 42 mandible 43 leg 44 prepupa, dorsal view 45 pupa, dorsal view.

Length 8.6 ± 0.51 mm, width 3.6 ± 0.34 mm. Body long oval, exarate, flattened dorso-ventrally; body straight from apex of head to abdominal segment III, bent ventrally at abdominal segment IV (Figs 46, 47). Color light brown, eyes dimly black (Fig. 47).

Figures 46–48. 

Octodonta nipae (Maulik). 46 pupa, lateral view 47 pupa, ventral view 48 adult, dorsal view.

Head with three stout processes in dorsal view, one central process with apex truncated and bearing two lateral setae (Fig. 45); two lateral processes positioned laterally, with apex acute and bent ventrally, one lateral setae inserted near apex (Fig. 45). In ventral view, eyes, antennae, labrum, mandibles, and maxilla discernible (Fig. 47).

Pronotum large, shield like, anterior margin convex, lateral margin truncate with three setae, two anterior and one posterior, posterior margin slightly sinuate; one pair of setae positioned centrally on posterior disc (Fig. 45). Mesonotum with lateral margin slightly sinuate, elytral theca closely appressed with wing theca, curved ventrally around body, extending to abdominal segment IV (Figs 6, 45–47). Leg theca stout, closely appressed with body, metapedes not extending beyond apex of elytral theca (Fig. 47).

Abdominal segment I to VIII visible in dorsal view, each segment with one pair of spiracles, and a large number of hooked spines and setae (Figs 6, 45). Tergum of first segment with six small spines (Fig. 45). Tergum II to VII marked with eight pairs of hooked spines, five pairs located between two spiracles, each spine bearing one seta (Fig. 45); one pair of spines near spiracle which bears one seta (Fig. 45); two pairs of spines positioned on the lateral margin of tergum, one directed dorsally and one directed ventrally, each of them bearing two setae (Fig. 45). Tergum VIII with supra-anal processes long hooked (Fig. 45), spiracles of tergum VIII in same locality as in larva. Sternum IV to VIII visible, sternum IV to VII bearing 12 hooked spines; sternum VIII without spine, anus positioned centrally, transverse and oval shape, last abdominal segment slim and soft (Figs 45–47).

Body elongate, flattened dorso-ventrally. Abdomen with eight pairs of lateral scoli and a pair of short supra-anal processes (Fig. 59). Lateral scoli short and tapering, finely denticulate and bearing four long club-like setae (Fig. 58). Supra-anal processes caliper-like hooked, strongly carinate and sclerotized, each dorsal carina with five to seven upward directed large teeth from base to apex, lateral carina bearing three to four large laterally directed tubercles with setae at apex (Fig. 59).

Most setae of head hair-like or club-like, blunt apically or pointed, but some setae of head very short (Fig. 57). Setae of tergites short or long, pointed, blunt or club-like (Fig. 52). Setae of legs club-like or long pointed, two setae positioned on tiny tubercle at inner margin of processes (Fig. 59)

Dorsal side of prothorax with four pairs of pointed setae arranged in row near posterior margin, one pair near middle of tergite; four pairs of blunt apical setae near anterior margin; six pairs of club-like setae along lateral margin (Fig. 50). Dorsal side of mesothorax with four pairs of pointed setae arranged in row posterolaterally; three pairs of pointed setae arranged in row near middle of tergite; two pairs of tiny pointed setae near anterior margin; one pair of blunt apical setae positioned anterolaterally; three long club-like setae along lateral margin, two of them on the bulge and one behind the bulge (Fig. 50). Dorsal side of metathorax with seven pairs of tiny pointed setae (Fig. 50), four pairs arranged in row posterolaterally; three pairs arranged in row along middle of tergite; one pair of blunt apical setae positioned near anterolaterally; three pairs club-like setae and one pointed seta along lateral margin (Fig. 50).

Figures 49–51. 

Brontispa longissima (Gestro). 49 frontal side of head 50 head, thorax and 1^st segment of abdomen, dorsal view 51 leg.

Nine pairs of spiracles: one pair on the mesothorax and eight on abdomen. Mesothoracic spiracle tubular and distinct (Fig. 50) laterally positioned between pro- and mesothorax; abdominal spiracles small. Spiracle of last segment abdomen round, larger than other abdominal spiracle, located in inner flank of dorsal carina (Fig. 59).

Head (Figs 49, 52) distinctly wider than long, but narrower than prothorax; dorsal surface finely granular, median endocarina well developed, widening and deepening from posterior margin to clypeal posterior margin, frontal arms extending from close to the center of the posterior margin up to the position of the antenna (Fig. 51).

Head with numerous setae (Figs 49, 51), distribution of setae as shown in Figure 49.

Labrum bent down (Figs 54, 55), connected with the anterior clypeal margin, almost as wide as clypeus. Anterior margin with tufted setae (Fig. 53), outer surface of labrum with six long pointed setae (Fig. 55).

Figures 52–60. 

Brontispa longissima (Gestro). 52 head, dorsal view 53 mouthpart, ventral view 54 head, ventral view 55 clypeus and labrum 56 mandible 57 vertical setae of head 58 scolus 59 supra-anal process 60 antenna. Abbreviations: pr – prementum; st – stipes; v – vertical setae.

Clypeus narrow (Fig. 55), moderately sclerotized, arched in front view, anterior and posterior margin parallel. Two pairs of tiny pointed seta positioned laterally (Fig. 55).

Mandible heavily sclerotized (Figs 53, 56), short and compact, with three apical teeth; inner side of mandible sharp, dorsal side of mandible convex, dorsolateral side with one long and one short pointed setae (Fig. 56).

Maxilla with stipes long (Figs 53, 54), bearing two lateral setae. Mala larger than maxillary palp (Fig. 53), directing buccal cavity, with eight long pointed setae and two short pointed setae. Palpifer short (Fig. 53), with two pointed setae. Maxillary palp short (Fig. 53), segment I cylindrical, with two setae, segment II conical, as long as segment I, one setae positioned flank, apical area with 11 sensilla. Labial palp one segmented, short (Fig. 53), apex with a group of nine peg-like sensilla. Hypopharynx apex covered with numerous spines (Fig. 53). Submentum and mentum fused with basal portion of maxilla, one pair of setae near lateral margin of postmentum (Figs 53, 54). Prementum triangular with two short pointed setae (Fig. 54). Postmentum triangular with two long pointed setae (Fig. 54).

Leg three-segmented (Fig. 51); coxa wider than long, with setae arranged in three rows: first with two pointed setae, second with two pointed setae and one club-like seta, third with one pointed seta and one club-like seta; femur longer than wide, with 11 long pointed setae, one club-like setae, as show in figure 51; tibiotarsus stout, apically with one heavily sclerotized and curved single claw, armed apically nine long setae around claw.