Biology of Automeris illustris (Walker) (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae, Hemileucinae)

Abstract

This work aimed to study the biology of Automeris illustris (Walker, 1855) which is a polyphytophagous, considered secondary pest of eucalypts culture in wich their caterpillars might cause erucism. The biological parameters were obtained in controlled conditions of temperature: 25 ± 1°C, UR 70 ± 10% and photofase of 14 hours, with daily observations. On each developmental phase, morphological and ethologic aspects, as well as duration and viability, were evaluated. In order to link the host plants to the insect it were added data of collected material on field and referred in the bibliography. Under laboratory conditions it was observed that the life cycle needed of about 121 days whose mean periods of eggs, caterpillars, pre-pupae, pupae and adult phases were 10.60, 80.56, 3.58, 19.17 and 7.83 days, respectively. The caterpillars passed by six instars with a growth average rate of 1.47. It was observed a high degree of polyphytophagy over 51 host plants belonging in 28 families. The biotic potential was estimated on 8.719.556 individuals in the weak.