Brote de larvas de Rotschildia orizaba (Lepidoptera:saturniidae)en café, una experiencia en manejo integrado de plagas

Abstract

A severe outbreak of Rothschildia orizaba larvae occurred in a coffee plantation near Turrialba, Costa Rica in 1986-87. Nine insecticide applications made in 1986 were completely ineffective in controlling the an IPM practices were applied, wich included hand colleting of cocoons, and their confinement in specially built field cages to trap the emerging moths while allowing egg and pupal parasites to diperse. Pupal parasitism by Belvosia sp., prob. nigrifrons (Díptera: Tachinidae) was a key mortality factor. By the end of May, 1987, moth populations were reduced to low levels. Disruption of natural biological control by misuse of chemicals is of frequent occurrence in Central America, where implementation of IPM programs is badly needed.