Telchin atymnius futilis (Walker, 1856) (Castniidae: Castniinae) en plantas de Heliconia spp. en Satipo

Abstract

The research was carried out with the objective of determining the characteristics of the instars and the damage of the pest larvae in the heliconias; those that have been affected are commercial plants with large ornamental inflorescences, where the problem is the increase in damage despite the chemical control that has been applied. There is 5% incidence in the plantation. The research plot was located at 1,300 m asl with a humid climate, suitable for heliconias, where the various stages of the insect were sampled on the affected plants until the recovery of the adult to confirm the species. From the beginning, the larvae enter the pseudostem and as they grow, they reach 7 cm in length and are creamy in color. The body is screw-shaped with a widened head and tapering terminal abdomen. Gallery damage is caused by eating away at the tissue of the pseudostem and rhizome, which causes the death of the plants and their offspring. The pupa reaches about 4 cm and is housed under the plant in a cocon woven with silk threads and remains of pseudostem and soil. The adult butterfly is dark brown in dorsal view and measures between 10 to 20 cm in wing expansion. Six species of heliconias were found to be affected, with Heliconia gloriosa and H. hirsuta being the most susceptible, and H. rostrata, H. aemigdiana, H. tagami and H. stricta being less susceptible.