FIELD BIOLOGY OF CACTOBLASTIS CACTORUM (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE) IN ARGENTINA

ZAMUDIO, MARÍA PAULA; CLAPS, LUCÍA ELENA; CAMPOS SOLDINI, MARÍA PAULA

Paraíba

Congreso; IV Congreso Internacional en cactus pear y cochinillas; 2007

Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg), native from South America, feeds Opuntia species (Cactacea) throughout the different larvae stages. It was used as a biological control agent for several cacti invading species in Australia, South Africa, and Caribbean Isles. As a result of the impact caused by C. cactorum populations in these regions and the low host specificity, the risk for wild and grown Opuntia populations cannot be underestimated. In spite of the economical importance, very little is known about this species in its original place. The aim of the present paper is to determine the field life-cycle in the North of Argentina and to elaborate a life table. Therefore, Opuntia ficus-indica plots were marked in two localities, one in Tucumán (S26º44`18.48`` W64º38`26.57``) 2004/2007 and another in Entre Ríos (S31º59´42.15? W60º36´14.58?), 2005/2007. Robertson & Hoffmann?s method (1989) was used to determine egg, larvae, pupa, and adult mortality. Three annual generations without generational overlapping were registered in Tucumán and two in Entre Ríos. Four parasitoid species were registered on pupa and larvae. Unlike Lobos & Ochoa (1997) who described two definite generations per year in NW Argentina, three were registered in Tucumán that coincide with Zimmermann et al. (2004) who mentioned the third generation in the warmest regions of South Africa, Australia, and Florida. This suggests that the temperature would be a determining factor in the number of annual generations. This work was supported by IAEA.