Abstract

CANACUAN-NASAMUEZ, Doris Elisa  and  CARABALI-MUNOZ, Arturo. Strepsicrates smithiana (Walsingham, 1891), Psidium guajava Leaf-roller: Identification, Damage and Life Cycle. Corpoica cienc. tecnol. agropecu. [online]. 2015, vol.16, n.2, pp.279-292. ISSN 0122-8706.

The guava leaf roller is considered a limiting pest for plants of economic importance in commercial crops of Pear Guava cv. ICA-1 in the North of Valle del Cauca department, Colombia. It is a pest species with very few taxonomic information and poorly known biology; thus the aim of this paper was to provide additional information on the biology and morphology of the species. The breeding stock was obtained from larvae collected in the field and reared in a screen house (28.75 ± 2.53 °C and 57.28 ± 8.16 HR). Specimens were sent to the National Museum of Natural History (Washington, USA), for identification. The larval stages were determined through direct observations and measurements of the width of the cephalic capsule the moth was identified as Strepsicrates smithiana, a species hitherto not recorded for Colombia. The larval stage presented five phases and the total duration of the biological cycle was 42.93 ± 1.68 days, with an incubation period of 5.07 ± 0.37. The larval stages, prepupa, pupa and adult had an average duration of 18.17 ± 2.03; 3.27 ± 0.45; 10.57 ± 1.04 and 5.87 ± 1.2 days, respectively. The eggs were placed individually on young guava shoots. The larvae causes a reduction of the leaf area while feeding, often causing the yellowing of the affected leaves and death of terminal buds. In the initial stage, the damage is characterized by gnawing of the leaves, drilling of terminal buds, followed by curling of leaves caused by more developed larvae. Information about the life cycle, taxonomic identity of the species, and the characterization of the damage are the base of knowledge that will enable the development of pest management programs for reducing populations of S. smithiana.

Keywords : Psidium guajava; Guavas; Strepsicrates smithiana; Identification; Phytosanitary measures; Life cycle; Pests of plants.

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