Life cycle of Chlosyne lacinia saundersii (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) on Tithonia tubaeformis (Jacq.) Cass. under controlled laboratory conditions

Abstract

Chlosyne lacinia saundersii (Doubleday) is a polyphagous lepidopteran that produces a great defoliation in its host plants. The objective of this work was to determine the development and survival time of C. lacinia saundersii and to report aspects of its natural history on “Cuban grass” Tithonia tubaeformis (Jacq.) Cass. (Asteraceae). Caterpillars from the field were kept in cages in a rearing chamber under controlled conditions and fed with leaves of T. tubaeformis until adults’ emergence. To the latter, a honey solution and T. tubaeformis flowers was given. The life cycle duration was 48 days (egg: 8.0 days; larva: 24.9; pupa: 6.9 days; adult: 8.3 days) with six larval stages. The survival of each stage of development was high (> 70%) but considering the period from egg to pupa, only 52% of the individuals reached adulthood. Larval gregariousness was observed. In relation to the sexes there is a predominance of females (1.1:1). Female pupae were heavier than males. This work represents the first contribution to the knowledge of the biology of C. lacinia saundersii under laboratory conditions on T. tubaeformis. Cuban grass is confirmed as a new alternative host plant for C. lacinia saundersii