Modeling of the immature stages of the species of Noctuidae associated with Physalis peruviana L.

Abstract

Physalis peruviana L. is currently the second fruit crop more exported of Colombia; however, the pests associated with the culture have been little studied which is important considering that some Noctuidae can cause a decrease of 20% in its production. In this research, the Noctuidae species related to P. peruviana were studied in three farms of La Unión, Antioquia, Colombia. Twelve sampling units, with 30- and 45-day transplanted plants, were distributed throughout the farms and sampled biweekly from March 1st to August 29th of 2014. In the plant canopy and the planted area, immature stages were registered, and statistic models were built in order to describe their trend. The taxonomic identification of adults was made by comparing with the Noctuidae collection of Museo Entomológico Francisco Luis Gallego at Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Medellín, and by using taxonomic keys. Nine Noctuidae species were found in total. Six models were built, four oviposition models for Agrotis ipsilon and Spodoptera spp., Copitarsia decolora and Heliothis subflexa, Megalographa biloba, and Peridroma saucia; a model for larvae and pupae stages was built. The oviposition model for P. saucia was the more adjusted, with a Root mean squared predictive difference (RMSPD) of 0.84. The other studied models were suitable to describe the trend of the immature stages; except for M. biloba model. This research revealed the ecological characteristics of the Noctuidae species associated with the golden berry crop that affect its productivity.