Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-vdxz6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T04:14:47.416Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

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
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
Get access

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.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1985

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Agwu, S. I. (1974) Entomology Report. 11th Annual Report NIFOR, pp. 4952.Google Scholar
Allen, J. D. and Bull, R. A. (1954) Recent severe attack on oil palm by two caterpillars belonging to the limacodidae. J. W. Afr. Oil Palm Res. 1, 130137.Google Scholar
Arulandi, K. (1970) Observation on and control of leaf eating caterpillars in oil palm. Crop Protection In Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, pp. 116123.Google Scholar
Cremlyn, R. (1978) Pesticides Preparations and Mode of Action. Wiley, Chichester.Google Scholar
Greenbanks, D. O. (1956) The role of climate and dispersal in the initiation of outbreaks of the spruce budworm in New Brunswick. 1. The role of climate. Can. J. Zool. 34, 453–176.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hartley, C. W. S. (1977) The Oil Palm, 2nd edn, pp. 652684. Longman, London.Google Scholar
Mariau, D. (1976) Insect pests in West Africa. In Oil Palm Research (Edited by Corley, R. H. V., Harden, J. J. and Wood, B. J.), Vol. 1, pp. 369383. Elsevier, Amsterdam.Google Scholar
Mason, R. R. (1976) Life tables for declining populations of Douglas-Fir tussock moth. Ann. ent. Soc. Am. 69, 948957.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Richard, O. W. (1940) The biology of the small white butterfly (Pieris rapae) with special references to factors controlling its abundance. J. Anim. Ecol. 2, 243288.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Slobodkin, L. B. (1962) Growth and Regulation of Animal Populations. Holt, Rinehart & Winston, New York.Google Scholar
Wood, B. J., Hutauruk, C. W. and Liau, S. S. (1976) Studies on the chemical and integrated control of nettle caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae). In International Development In Oil Palms (Edited by Earp, D. A. and Newall, W.), pp. 591616. Incorporation of Society Planters, Kuala Lumpur.Google Scholar
Young, S. N. (1970) Some pests of oil palm on the east coast of Sabah. Crop Protection In Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, pp. 107115.Google Scholar