CICLO DE VIDA DE Gonipterus platensis (MARELLI, 1926) (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) EN TRES ESPECIES COMERCIALES DE Eucalyptus PARA COLOMBIA

In 2016, the eucalyptus snout weevil, Gonipterus platensis (Marelli, 1926) was recorded in Antioquia, Colombia. This study evaluated how the species Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, Eucalyptus urophylla S.T.Blake, and Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden × Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake (Eucalyptus × urograndis) influence the life cycle of G. platensis. Two trials were conducted under natural conditions. The first was carried out in a greenhouse, where the larvae were fed with eucalyptus seedlings, which determined the life cycle. The second trial was conducted in a laboratory, and the larvae were fed with eucalyptus leaves, allowing for the determination of the duration of the larvae instars. It was determined that the embryonic period of G. platensis is 9.10 days, with a longer larval duration in larvae fed with E. grandis. The duration of the pre-pupae and pupal stage was longer in E. urophylla. The life cycle duration was longer in G. grandis (85.87 days). The viability of larvae on the fifth day and the survival rate until emerging as adult were lower in E. urograndis. The study concludes that G. platensis can complete its life cycle on all three eucalyptus species. These finding are relevant for the management of eucalyptus plantations and the integrated management of G. platensis.