Éxito reproductivo de Caligo atreus (Lepidoctera: Nymphalidae) en condiciones de cultivo

Abstract

En Río Macho, Cartago, Costa Rica, se estudiaron en cautiverio, los estados del ciclo de vida de Caligo atreus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), con Heliconia tortuosa (Heliconiaceae) como planta hospedera. Los huevos fueron colocados en cajas de Petri para obtener las larvas. Se observaron 200 larvas para determinar el porcentaje de pupas formadas. Adicionalmente se recolectaron 6904 pupas provenientes de otros adultos y se clasificaron en cuatro categorías según sus características físicas. De éstas, 49 se pesaron y estudiaron para deter minar la proporción de sexos. El porcentaje de huevos eclosionados fue de 74.4 % Y el de pupas de 76.5%. El peso de las pupas que originan hembras es mayor que el que originan machos observándose diferencia signi ficativa entre ambos pesos.In Río Macho, Cartago, Costa Rica, the life cycle stages of Caligo atreus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) were studied in captivity, with Heliconia tortuosa (Heliconiaceae) as host plant. The eggs were placed in Petri dishes to obtain the larvae. Two hundred larvae were observed to determine the percentage of pupae formed. Additionally, 6904 pupae from other adults were collected and classified into four categories according to their physical characteristics. Of these, 49 were weighed and studied to determine the sex ratio. The percentage of hatched eggs was 74.4% and 76.5% of pupae. The weight of the pupae that originate females is greater than the one that originate males, observing a significant difference between both weights.