Mating behavior and oviposition of Palpita forficifera (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Abstract

Palpita forficifera Munroe, 1959 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is considered the main pest of the olive tree (Olea europaea L., Oleaceae) in Brazil and Uruguay. The aim of this work was to study the mating and oviposition behavior of P. forficifera in the field and laboratory. In the field, the sex emitting the mating pheromone was determined and in the laboratory, the rate of emergence of males and females; the age, time and duration of mating; number of copulations and oviposition time of P. forficifera were recorded. The field results showed that the males are attracted to the females for mating, and it was possible to capture up to five males per trap in just one night. The emergence rhythm is synchronized. Copulation occurs between the seventh and twenty-third day of life and is most frequent during the third and sixth hours of scotophase. The average duration of the first copulation was 174 minutes, with 35% of couples recopulating, and there were cases of up to five copulations. Oviposition times were concentrated between 20:00 and 02:00. The results obtained provide insight into the reproductive behavior of P. forficifera and are useful for future studies aimed at identifying the sex pheromone to improve monitoring of the pest in olive orchards.