RESUMO
In 2006, the presence of a pest in guava was detected for the first time in the Province of Vélez, Santander, Colombia, known as the bander worm. Research on the biology of this pest is scarce and no natural enemies have been registered. The aim of the study was to establish the taxonomy, life cycle, damage (distribution, incidence, and severity) and natural enemies of this pest to be used in future integrated management programs. This study was carried out between May 2013 and December 2014. The taxonomy and morphological descriptions of the life stages of the bander worm correspond to Carmenta theobromae ( Busck, 1910). The life cycle in the field was 120-150 days, with 2-3 generations per year: egg, 15-30 days; larva, 60 days; pupa, 25 days; adult, 10-30 days. In the laboratory, the life cycle was 90-110 days: egg, 10-20 days; larval stages 6-7, 50-60 days; pupa, 20-22 days; adult, 5-7 days. The incidence was 98% in 124 farms with 9.87 ± 1.94 infested trees in relation to 40.74 ± 5.52 observed trees (n = 4,970). Severity was moderate (n = 48). The damage involves the removal of the bark to reach the vascular cambium. Biological control associated with the parasitoids Brachymeria pedalis and Telenomus sp., the entomopathogens Lecanicillium lecanii, Beauveria bassiana and B. brongniartii, and the practices like weeding and pruning represent a potential control strategy.
RESUMO
In 2006, a new limiting pest in guava was reported in the provincia de Vélez, Santander, Colombia, known as the borer worm. There is no knowledge of the biology of this pest so far. The aim of this study, conducted between May 2013 and December 2014, was to establish the taxonomy, lifecycle, damage (distribution, incidence, and severity), and control alternatives of this new limiting pest in guava, as input for an integrated management program. Results showed that this pest corresponds to Simplicivalva ampliophilobia (Davis et al., 2008). The life cycle in the field lasts 330-360 days, with one generation per year (univoltine): egg, 15-30 days; larva, 270 days; prepupa, 15 days; pupa, 30 days; adult, 15-30 days. Under laboratory conditions the lifecycle lasts 259-266 days, unknown egg state duration; larva, 7-8 instars, 210 days; pupa, 42 days; imago, 7-14 days (n = 60, α = 5%, 25.4 °C ± 4.93 °C, 55.6% ± 11.58% RH, photoperiod 0: 24). The incidence was 94% in 124 silvopastoral system farms with 7.51 ± 1.69 infested trees compared to 40.74 ± 5.52 observed trees (n = 4,970). The technified system showed a reduction in the average incidence of 50.83% compared to the silvopastoral guava cropping system. Severity was moderate (n = 48) in both systems. Morphometric descriptions of eggs, larvae, pupae, and imagos were performed. Damage and associated symptoms occur when larvae remove the conducting tissues of the plant adjacent to the medulla. Crop technification combined with the use of the parasitoid Apanteles sp., and the fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Lecanicillium lecanii represent an alternative control for this pest.