Aspects of the field ecology of Stenoma catenifer (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae) infesting hass avocados in Guatemala

Abstract

Larvae of Stenoma catenifer reared from Hass avocados in Guatemala were parasitized by 2 species of primary parasitoid, Apanteles sp. and Macrocentrus sp. Observations of the diurnal flight activity of adult S. catenifer indicated that 73% of moths fly less than 3 m during the day. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that lycosid spiders are voracious predators of fifth instar larvae, pupae, and adults.