Distribution spatio-temporelle des principaux Lépidoptères de la Menthe verte dans la région de Chaouia

Population dynamics of three Lepidoptera species has been monitored by adult pheromone trapping and caterpillar sampling on mint crop in three localities in the Chaouia region during the year 2013. A predominance of flight activity of Chrysodeixis chalcytes followed by Spodoptera littoralis was recorded, with three to four peaks between May and July. Low catches for Helicoverpa armigera species were noted on mint fields in the region. The flight activity for all Lepidoptera species were discontinuous throughout the season. High infestation levels of caterpillars of the three Lepidoptera covered the months of May, June, and July. The highest larval numbers were recorded for the loopers, C.chalcytes. Population monitoring of these three Lepidoptera by pheromone traps on mint allowed to detect the first flights and periods of pic emergence, which could be taken into account for rational insecticide applications.