Caracterización y temporalidad de enemigos naturales de Opsiphanes cassina en palma aceitera, estado Monagas, Venezuela

The research was conducted with the objective of performing the characterization and temporality of the natural enemies associated with Opsiphanes cassina in an oil palm plantation, located in Monagas state, Finca “El Aguila” Venezuela. Evaluations were carried out at weekly intervals, during the August 2015/August 2016 cycle, sectioning leaf number 25 from two plants ha-1 in a 10 ha lot. The number of eggs, different instars larvae and pupa, as well as their natural enemies and the plant species that offer them food and shelter within the experimental area, were quantified. The biological control agents identified corresponded to Telenomus sp. (Scelionidae), Anastatus sp. (Eupelmidae) and a eulophyid as egg parasitoids; Cotesia sp. (Braconidae) from larvae of V instar and Conura maculata F (Chalcididae) from pupa. Cotesia sp., was the most relevant entomophagus in the regulation of insect populations. The presence of species such as Croton trinitatis Mills and Solanum hirtum L favor the strengthening of the natural biological control of O. cassina.