Carmenta theobromae (Busck, 1910), pest of guava in Colombia: biology, life cycle and natural enemies

In 2006, the presence of a pest in guava was detected for the first time in the Province of Vélez, Santander, Colombia, known as the bander worm. Research on the biology of this pest is scarce and no natural enemies have been registered. The aim of the study was to establish the taxonomy, life cycle, damage (distribution, incidence, and severity) and natural enemies of this pest to be used in future integrated management programs. This study was carried out between May 2013 and December 2014. The taxonomy and morphological descriptions of the life stages of the bander worm correspond to Carmenta theobromae ( Busck, 1910). The life cycle in the field was 120–150 days, with 2–3 generations per year: egg, 15–30 days; larva, 60 days; pupa, 25 days; adult, 10–30 days. In the laboratory, the life cycle was 90–110 days: egg, 10–20 days; larval stages 6–7, 50–60 days; pupa, 20–22 days; adult, 5–7 days. The incidence was 98% in 124 farms with 9.87 ± 1.94 infested trees in relation to 40.74 ± 5.52 observed trees (n = 4,970). Severity was moderate (n = 48). The damage involves the removal of the bark to reach the vascular cambium. Biological control associated with the parasitoids Brachymeria pedalis and Telenomus sp., the entomopathogens Lecanicillium lecanii, Beauveria bassiana and B. brongniartii, and the practices like weeding and pruning represent a potential control strategy.