Abstract
Leptophobia aripa (Boisduval) is a pest of economic importance to cabbages in Antioquia. Prior to the present study it was reported under the synonymy of Pieris elodia Boisduval, and apparently it is widespread in Colombia. Morphological differences with the similar species L. eleusis (Luc.) and Ascia monuste (L.), pests of these crucifers are discussed.
A study of its life cycle was carried out at the Agricultural Experiment Station "Tulio Ospina" of ICA in Bello, Antioquia, at an altitude of 1440 m.a.s.l. and 22°C of average temperature. The results showed that both sexes of L. aripa underwent 5 instars and its feeding period was 12 days in average. This insect has a prepupal period of about 2 days and spent about 9 days in the pupal stage. The unfed adults lived up to 5 days. The life cycle from egg hatching to adult emergence was completed in 21 to 25 days for both sexes. The head capsule width data were found very useful to separate the different larval stadia.
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