LIFE-CYCLE AND LARVAL MORPHOLOGY OF EUGLY PHIS-RIVULOSA (LEPIDOPTERA,LASIOCAMPIDAE) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

The lepidopteran Euglyphis rivulosa, an important pest in avocado plan tations, was studied under laboratory conditions. The eggs were cylind rical, black and averaged 1.01 +/- 0.05 mm in length and 0.82 +/- 0.03 mm in width. The mean incubation period was 6.46 +/- 0.82 days. The l arval stage averaged 36.14 +/- 1.06 days, presenting six larval instar s. The duration of pre-pupal and pupal stages were 2.00 +/- 0.63 and 9 .93 +/- 1.90 days, respectively. Adult longevities did not differ betw een the sexes. Females did not present preference for oviposition site s and egg masses varied in form and number of eggs. There were 203.72 +/- 111.96 eggs per female. The females utilize 52% of their reproduct ive capacity during the first three days of their Life span with 100% survivorship. The reproductive capacity of the females in relation to their age is represented by the formula Y=42.88-3.63 x.