Life table of Pseudodirphia pallida (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) in laboratory conditions

Abstract

Saturniidae and particularly Dirphia sensu lato include many economically important moth species that have generated considerable attention during the last years in relation to damage caused to eucalyptus, sugar cane and oil palm plants. However, the knowledge of basic aspects of the group is incomplete and the taxonomy is difficult. Many species have not been described and there are few detailed studies on biology and population dynamics. In the present study a morphological description is made of the immature stages of Pseudodirphia pallida. The species was reared under laboratory conditions and general aspects of life table are registered. Photographic aspects of the different immature stages are also presented and an expanded species description is provided based on both immature and adult characteristics. The specimens were reared in the insectary of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia at Medellín at a mean temperature of 24°C and relative humidity 71%. The larvae were fed with Búcaro (Erythrina fusca) leaves. A bivoltine life cycle was observed with a duration between 136 and 171 days and a total of five larval instars. The immature stages of shortest duration were L2 and L3 and the longest L4. The highest mortality rates were found in L1 and the prepupal stage. Larvae exhibited a gregarious behavior until L3.