Eacles imperialis magnifica Walker, 1856

Fornazier, M. J., Martins, D. S., Fanton, C. J. & Benassi, V. L. R. M., 2019, INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT IN CONILON COFFEE, Conilon coffee - The Coffea canephora produced in Brazil, Vitória, ES, Brasil: Incaper - Capixaba Institute for Research, Technical Assistance and Rural Extension, pp. 493-533 : 2029

Eacles imperialis magnifica Walker, 1856 ( Lepidoptera : Saturniidae )

Description and Biology

Adult imperial moth caterpillars are yellow moths many dark spots on the wings, cut by two bands of violet-black color, with two circular spots of the same color. They present sexual dimorphism, with females being larger (135 mm wingspan) and wings less stained than males ( Figure 10 ). Each female places about 250 eggs, which are lay in groups on the leaves, from where the caterpillars hatch. The incubation period is 6 to 12 days and the caterpillars, which can reach 80 to 100 mm in length and show color variation of green, orange, yellow and brown. This larval stage has a variable lenght of 30 to 37 days, and the chrysalis transformation occurs in the soil. Under favorable conditions, this last stage lasts from 30 to 40 days, and may last for some months in adverse conditions.

Losses

This pest destroys the leaf blade and can completely defoliate the plant. However, productivity damage has not been determined.

Figures

Figure 10. Imperial Moth Caterpillar, Eacles imperialis magnifica species.