Biological parameters of <i>Urbanus acawoios</i> (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) in different <i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> L. cultivars

Abstract

The object of this study was to determine the biological parameters of Urbanus acawoios (Willians, 1926) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) on different Phaseolus vulgaris cultivars. The study was carried out in the Laboratory of Forest Seeds of Universidade do Contestado, Canoinhas, Santa Catarina, Brazil, under controlled temperature (25.0ºC + 1.0°C), relative humidity of air (60.0% + 5.0%), and photoperiod (16h). Twenty-five replications, with one caterpillar per repetition, were used. The duration of each ínstar, in days, and the larvae weight, in g, were observed. The average duration from larva eclosion to U. acawoios adult death was 47.53; 50.15; 55.90, and 53.73 days for the Valente, Safira, Carioca Precoce and Goiano Precoce bean cultivars, respectively.
The caterpillars fed on the four P. vulgaris cultivars presented five larval ínstars. The Valente cultivar is the worst suitable cultivar for planting and Carioca Precoce is the most recommended one.