Agustina Valverde-Rodríguez, Hickey Emilio Córdova-Herrera, Miltao Edelio Campos-Albornoz, Laura Carmen Barrionuevo-Torres & Clin Clinel Malpartida-Agurto

Valverde-Rodríguez A.; Cordova-Herrera H.E.; Campos-Albornoz M.E.; Barrionuevo-Torres L.C.; Malpartida-Agurto C.C. · SHILAP Revista de lepidopterologia (2026) · DOI: 10.57065/shilap.1115

Resumen

The study analyses the distribution and feeding habits of Azamora sororia Druce, 1899 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae, Chrysauginae) in Passiflora ligularis Juss crops in the Carpish conservation forest, Huánuco, Peru. This Lepidoptera was identified as a fruit borer that significantly affects production. The research was carried out over 77.15 hectares, divided into six areas with altitude variations between 1,566 and 2,594 metres above sea level: Challana, Mallqui, Villa Gloria, Chinchao, Mirador and Taprag. A total of 414 affected fruits were collected and the larvae were bred in the laboratory for identification. The highest infestation was recorded in Challana, where 206 individuals were found, representing 49.76% of the total samples collected. This area, located between 1,566 and 1,699 metres above sea level, has climatic and vegetative conditions favourable to the pest. They were followed by Mallqui (20.29%), Villa Gloria (10.14%) and Taprag (9.18%). In contrast, Chinchao and Mirador had the lowest abundance with 4.11% and 6.52% respectively, which suggests that the pest finds less favourable conditions at higher altitudes. This distribution indicates that factors such as temperature, humidity, availability of food and the presence of associated crops such as Capsicum pubescens Ruiz & Pav., and Physalis peruviana L. influence the presence and proliferation of A. sororia. In addition, the areas with the highest infestation correspond to intermediate altitudes, while the higher or lower altitude areas have a lower incidence of the pest. The larvae bore into the fruit’s epidermis, feed on its interior and leave the fruit when it ripens, suggesting a possible cannibalistic behaviour between them.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión; Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán