Biology of Spodoptera eridania (Stoll) in the cultivation of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) under laboratory conditions

Abstract

The grape crop (Vitis vinifera L.) in the Piura region is infested by pests such as Spodoptera eridania Stoll, a polyphagous species native to the South American tropics. The objective of carrying out the research work was to know basic aspects about its morphology and biology, because there were no records of them in this crop, nor in others in the region. Daily observations were made to determine the duration of the egg incubation period, larval development, and the pupal stage and adult longevity. Once the adults emerged, they mated to establish the oviposition rhythm and reproductive capacity; all these parameters were evaluated for three generations. It was determined that, under laboratory conditions, the development cycle of S. eridania was 34.90 days for the first generation, 31.16 and 28.60 days for the second and third, with an average temperature record of 27.97 °C and relative humidity of 71.86%. The results show that it can be developed in vine plantations and will be useful in planning the work of the crop and in establishing integrated pest management strategies to reduce infestations when they occur.