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On the ecology of the nettle caterpillar, Latoia ( = Parasa) viridissima Holland (Limacodidae: Lepidoptera)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Igho B. Igbinosa
Igho B. Igbinosa
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
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Abstract

Field studies revealed the nettle caterpillar, Latoia ( = Parasa) viridissima, to be multivoltine with four discrete generations a year. The maximum egg (1800/100 fronds) and larval (1500/100 fronds) densities were attained in April/May 1980. The pupal population was generally low; the highest recorded density of 54/100 fronds was attained in March 1980 during the first generation.

Samples of larvae and pupae from the field were attacked by parasitoids in the families Bombyliidae, Braconidae, Chalcididae, Chrysididae, Eulophidae, Ichneumonidae and Tachinidae. These contributed to mortalities ranging from 6 to 30%, but their combined action with microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) accounted for 28–65% mortality of the insect.

Résumé

Des études sur le terrain ont montré que l'ortie Latoia ( = Parasa) viridissima se reproduisait plusieurs fois avec 4 générations distinctés par an. Les densités maximales des oeufs (1800/100 frondes) et larvaires (1500/100 frondes) étaient atteintes en (Avril/Mai 1980). La population nymphale était généralement basse; la plus haute densité enregistrée de 54/100 frondes était atteinte en Mars 1980 an cours de la première génération.

Des échantillons de larves et de nymphes dans les champs étaient attaqués par des parasitoides appartenant aux families Bombyliidae, Braconidae, Chalcididae, Chrysididae, Eulophidae, Ichneumonidae et Techimidae. Ces parasitoides ont contribué aux mortalités se situant entre 6–30%, mais leur action combinée avec des microorganismes (bactéries et champignons) a causé une mortalité de 28–65% de l'insecte.

Keywords

EcologyLatoia viridissimasurvivorshipparasitoidsEcologie Latoia viridissimasurvivanceparasitoides
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 6 , Issue 5 , October 1985 , pp. 605 - 608
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1985

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