Aspectos bionômicos de Cerodirphia opis (Schaus, 1892) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae, Hemileucinae) e identificação de seus inimigos naturais

Abstract

The forest sector occupies a prominent place among the economic segments established in Brazil, being the cultivation of Eucalyptus spp. the emblem of the Brazilian forestry business today. Among the numerous insects that can damage eucalyptus culture, the Saturniidae family has been noted as a secondary and major pest. This family comprises a great diversity of species. Many of them in Brazil lack studies on biology and ecology. The genus Cerodirphia Michener, 1949 currently covers about 30 species of medium moths distributed from western Mexico to Bolivia and southeastern Brazil. This work aimed to describe some aspects of Cerodirphia opis (Schaus, 1892) biology and to identify its natural enemies in the laboratory. The caterpillars were collected in a field of Eucalyptus sp. in the Esplanada city, Bahia State (BRACELL). In the Entomology Laboratory of the Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia they were raised in naylon mesh cages (250C and 80% RH). Viability was very low, only 11% in the larval phase. 32 males and 7 females were obtained, which represents a sex ratio of 0.18. The length of male pupae ranged from 20.57 mm to 26.46 mm; the width ranged from 8.28 to 11.07 mm and the weight from 0.31 to 1.930g. For females, these measurements were 10.42 to 12.85 mm, 8.28 to 11.07mm and 1.91 to 1.93 g respectively. From breeding specimens the following natural enemies were obtained: Parasitoids of larvae: Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) being the first record in Saturniidae; Lespesia sp. (Diptera: Tachinidae); Leschenaultia sp. (Diptera: Tachinidae). Pupae parasites: Belvosia sp., (Diptera; Tachinidae) and a probable species of Winthemia, in addition to the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Isaria sp. The biology studies of eucalyptus defoliators need more attention from researchers to assist in the integrated management of these species.