Biological aspects of
Opsiphanes cassina
Felder (split-banded owlet) were studied, under laboratory conditions (Centro de
Investigaciones Agropecuarias, INIA-Monagas) in San Agustín de la Pica, during the period September to December, 2002;
and field conditions, from July to November, 2002 in the oil palm plantations (
Elaeis guineensis
Jacq.) of Palmaveral and El
Águila, located in Monagas State, Venezuela. The average life cycle from egg to adult emergence was completed in 65 days,
the incubation of eggs lasted 9 days, the larvae and pupae 43 days and 12 days, respectively. The larvae are solitary and
remained inactive during the day, feeding between 18:00 and 20:00 and between 05:00 and 06:00 hours. Each larva
consumed an average of 325.5 cm
2, equivalent to 1,1 leaflet. Larval instar IV and V were the most voracious, consuming an
average foliar area of 14.1 and 80.2%, respectively. Males lived longer than females. Sex ratio of one male for every female
(1:1) was in the laboratory, while the field was two males for each female (2:1).
