Biological aspects of Nystalea nyseus (Cramer, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), a major Eucalyptus defoliator pest was studied under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 2" C, 60 ± 10% UR and photophasc 12L:12D. This species showed five instars with 3.99 ± 0.11 ; 3.80 ± 0.10; 4.95 ± 0.30; 5.96 ± 0.21 and 6.85 ± 0.14 days rcspectivelly and duration of total larval period of 25.55 days. Pre-pupal stage lasted 3.05 ± 0.05 and 3.08 ± 0.06 and pupal stage lasted 14.75 ± 0.45 and 13.82 ± 0.29 days for males and females, respeclivelly. Egg duration period was 3.40 ± 0.16 days with 74.72% of viability. Mated adults longevity were 6.71 ± 0.74 and 9.14 ± 0.96 days for males and females, respectivclly. Sexual ratio was 0.55, or one female for 0,81 male.
Eucaliptus defoliator; Lepidoptera; Nystalea nyseus; Eucalyptus