Effect of natural diets on life cycle, survival and fecundity of Copitarsia decolora (Guenné) (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera)

The effect of three different cultivars of crops: Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea botrytis: Brassicaceae), Broccoli (Brassica oleracea itálica: Brassicaceae), and Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria spp.: Alstroemeriaceae) on life cycle, survival and fecundity of Copitarsia decolora (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera) was evaluated under laboratory conditions at 19,72 ± 0,45ºC and 58,41 ± 5,63% RH. The experiments were conducted from egg to adult emergence in individual plastic containers under a Completely Randomized Design. The results indicated that the larvae went through five instars and length of larvae in the last instar was higher on Cauliflower. Feeding by fourth- and fifth-instar larvae was higher than the observed in first-instar larvae. The mean lifespan was not different on the three diets. The pupal and adult development time was greater on Cauliflower and Brocoli than Alstroemeria, although the adult emergence was greatest on Alstroemeria. The Cohorts fed with Cauliflower and Alstroemeria had the highest survival rate for larvae and adults. Regarding reproduction rates there were not differences between the diets. The longevity of adult females on Cauliflower was the longest and the majority of eggs were deposited three days after female emergence. We concluded that the best natural diets recommended as suitable for mass rearing of this moth are Cauliflower and Alstroemeria, followed by Broccoli. Mass rearing of C. decolorawill provide individuals in the quantities required for future evaluations on biology of predators and parasitoids that could be used as natural enemies for the control of this pest.

Financing by CIAS-1465 Project from Militar Nueva Granada University