Abstract
Summary
Plantain and banana crops in the Quindio arca of Colombia were seriously affected by Opsiphanes envirae Folder in 1979. At least 503 ha of plantain suffered varying degrees of defoliation. The life cycle, habits, host plants and natural enemies of this post were studied. Observations on some bioecological aspects were made.
At 23,4°C and 74,3% R.H. the egg, larval, prepupal and pupal stages lasted 5,8; 29,8; 2,8 and 13,3 days, respecti-vely. There are five larval instars. Main differences among them are the number and color of the caudal horns. Highest foliage consumption was recorder for fourth and fifth instar larvae. Larvac pupate in the lower part of plantain and coffee plants as well as on weeds. The pupa is kidney-shaped and bears two characteristic shiny spors.
Females lived and average of 30 days; males lived 15 days; the sexes can be distinguished by comparing the median and lateral portions of the abdomen. The highest number of eggs/female recorded was 96; average, 80,8 eggs. All eggs obtained under laboratory conditions were infertile. The average preoviposition period was 3,8 days.
The Hymenoptera Ooncyrtus sp (Encyrtidae), Telenomus sp (Scelionidae), Apanteles sp (Braconidae); Spilochalcis nigrifrons (Cameron) (Chalcididae), Polistes erytrocephalus Latreille, Polistes spp (Vespidae) and the patogen Bacillus cereus were the main natural enemies found.
Besides plantain, (Musa paradisiaca L.), banana (Musa sapientum L.) and “guineo" (Musa cavendish Lamb) the pest was also found on “platanillo”, (Heliconia sp.).
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