BIOETHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON PALPITA UNIONALIS HB. IN SICILY AND TRIALS OF DEFENCE

We have studied the Palpita unionalis Hb both in field and in laboratory. By using light traps and surveys on the vegetation we noticed 5 generations in the field with a biological cycle lasting from 29 to 38 days, the M/F ratio being of 1:1.16. In the laboratory the biological cycle lasted from 24 to 39 days; it has been evidenced a degree of parasitation from 30 to 35%, due to the endoectoparasite Apanteles xanthostigmus Hal. on 2nd and 3rd age larvae. Different pesticides gave a good control when applied on 1st and 2nd age larvae.