Biology of Sphenophorus levis Vaurie, 1978 (Col.: Curculionldae), with artificial dieth and in the field

Abstract

The Sphenophorus levis is found to be a pest only in the plantation region of Piracicaba São Paulo State, Brazil, and its damage is high due to the drastic reduction that caused in the stand of the plantation, this occurs when in high populations. Since this pest has unknown habits and great economic importance, it was developed its rearing in laboratory with artificial diet and a study on its dispersion in the field aiming to get more information for its control. These studies were realized in growth chambers at controlled temperature, varying between 27°C and 30°C and photoperiods of twelve hours. By the obtained results, it was concluded that S. levis presents a total cycle of life around six months and a capacity of dispersion about 9.60 metres per month, in the adult phase.