Mass Rearing and Bioecological Observations of Eudocima phalonia (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in Laboratory and Field Conditions in New Caledonia

The fruit-piercing moth, Eudocima phalonia (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), is a widespread pest in the Pacific region and has recently become economically important again in New Caledonia due to increasingly frequent outbreaks. Improving knowledge of its biology is essential for developing effective monitoring and management strategies. This study aimed to (i) establish a detailed laboratory rearing protocol, (ii) characterize its life cycle and reproductive traits under controlled conditions, and (iii) explore associations between larval coloration, developmental parameters, and seasonal population dynamics. Laboratory colonies were maintained over multiple generations, and field monitoring was conducted across several sites over three years. Larval colour polymorphism was documented, and statistical analyses (ANOVA and linear models) revealed significant associations between larval coloration and pupal morphological traits. However, these results should be interpreted cautiously due to unbalanced sample sizes and the observational nature of the dataset. Differences between sexes in several developmental traits were also observed. Field data showed marked seasonal variation in population abundance. This study provides a detailed rearing protocol and baseline biological data for Eudocima phalonia in New Caledonia, supporting future experimental and applied research.