*2.9.3 Biology*

*Agrotis ipsilon* completes its life cycle in 50–77 days at 22'C-25'C temperature and 69–77% relative humidity [82]. Adult female moths lay 145–200 eggs. Egg laying goes on peak 5–6 days after mating [82]. They are 0.5 mm long and 0.45 mm high, semi-circular and have erect and parallel patterned terns. Recently laid eggs have milky color which turns grayish black at the time of hatching [83]. There are six instars of larvae of *A. ipsilon* [82]. Larvae color is grayish-black while ventral and sub-ventral abdominal sides are lighter in color.

#### *Insect Pest Complex of Wheat Crop DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95786*

Third to sixth instar larvae are 7 mm, 10-20 mm, 20–30 and 37–47 mm long [35, 36, 83]. Larvae of *A. ipsilon* can be distinguished from others with having these diagnostic characters; Stigerous D2 tubercle large, dorsal anterior tubercle almost one third as long as posterior tubercle, pigmented black spiracles with convex granules [35, 36]. Papae are brownish in color which turns blackish at the time of adult emergence and measures 17–25 mm. Fifth and sixth abdominal tergites have distinct punctures on pleural sides; hook-like spines are present at the apex of the sixth abdominal segment [83]. Adults of the black cutworm are 16–23 mm long, spreaded wingspan measures 35–54-mm [35, 36]. There are three sections in the forewing internal transverse line, external transverse line and some distinct spots: clavate spot, reniform spot, ring spot and sword spot. Hindwings are grayish in color and do not have any markings. Males have feathers type antennae while females have filiform [35, 36].
