Opennatur

It is a polyphagous and migratory specie. Caterpillar development lasts a month and about 15 days that of the pupa. This specie may have two or three generations per year, which develop between April and October

Adultos: have a wingspan of 4.5 cm. The hind wings are light brown, obscured by its outline. The forewings are reddish-orange or brownish, obscured in some areas. In half of the blackish area it’s observed a small line curved following a right angle, which is very feature. Outlining the edge of the reniform spot the whole resembles the Greek letter gamma. The front part of the body has three conspicuous tufts of erect hairs.

Eggs: were found singly or in small groups. They are whitish and have superficial, vertical, and irregular grooves. Are dome-shaped. Female fertility is very high so can lay up to 2000 eggs, and may have two or three generations per year.

Larvae: in is final stage can reach a length from 3,5 to 4 cm. Have a small sharp head, ranging from greenish to brown and sometimes dark on the outline. Her body is also sharp and thickened towards the end, with tree pairs of thoracic legs and three pairs of fake abdominal ones. The body is generally of an intense green color, sometimes blue. Six white, sinuous, thin lines can be seen in the dorsal part, and a sharp white line at the height of the stigmas (side band). Larvae move sliding the body in a characteristic way.

Pupaes: son de color verde al principio, tomando después color marrón. Aparece envuelta de un capullo sedoso entre las hojas. Are found wrapped in a silken cocoon among the leaves.

Using a monitoring device consisting on “Unitrap” traps with insecticide (DDVP vapone) and pheromones allows to detect the presence of adults in each plot.

Once the first captures occurs, its advisable to make a visual estimate by means of a direct sampling on the plants, paying attention to the leaves, among other parts of the plants.

Next it’s recommended to contact the technical staff of Pest Protection Service on the area, who will evaluate the situation on the field and determine the actions to be taken in each case.

• Place about 3 to 4 "Unitrap" traps per hectare of crop or for each monitored area. Must place the traps above the crop to manage good ventilation and take them up as the crop grows.
• Using gloves, put the feromone pheromone and the insecticide (Vapona DDVP) . inside the basket.
• Traps are controlled once a week to collect and note the number of insect catch. It is also necessary to check that traps are still well placed.
• Attractants must be renewed every 6 semanas.

To control the pest you have to follow these instructions:

• Place 8 to 10 "Unitrap" traps per hectare of crop and 20 cm above the plants . The exact number of traps varies according to the umber of captures.
• Place them both inside and outside the plot, or area to control, strengthening areas where catches are highest reducing the distance between traps up to 25 meters.
• Mass trapping will take place throughout the development of the plant
• Complement mass trapping with the phytosanitary treatments that Pest Protection Service technical staff recommends.