Biological aspects of the Pelidnota fulva Blanchard, 1850 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae)

Abstract

Some species of Scarabaeidae present an important function in the decomposition and recycle of organic material and because there is little information on this group of insects, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the biological aspects of Pelidnota fulva Blanchard, 1850. Determination of the period of occurrence was performed by capture of adults with a light trap and in laminated areas of the experimental farm belonging to the Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from January 2008 to December 2009. After mating and obtaining of the eggs biological studies were initiated, in which the insects were maintained in an acclimatized chamber at 26 + 1 ºC with photophate for 12 hours. Adult occurrence was short in the field, being captured in October and November of 2008 and September and October of 2009. Eggs were obtained in the laboratory which possessed average dimensions of 2.5 × 1.9 mm, and after a few days the same dimensions averages 3.4 × 3.3 mm. The embryonic period lasted 15.1 days; the first, second and third instar larvae periods lasted 22.4, 36.9 and 209.7 days, respectively; and the pupa phase lasted 20.7 days. Average duration of the egg to adult cycle was 309.3 days, characterizing the species as univoltine. Adults possess longevity of 12.8 days. Mating was observed in the laboratory which presented minimal and maximal durations of 8 minutes and 1 hour and 13 minutes.