Rearing system and biology study of the hemorrhagic caterpillar Lonomia obliqua (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop a methodology for rearing Lonomia obliqua Walker, 1855 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) in laboratory aiming the extraction of venom to manufacture serum and to study its biological cycle. The research was carried out in the Laboratory of Entomology at Research Center for Familiar Agriculture (Cepaf), Epagri, Chapecó, SC, Brazil. The rearing room was kept at temperature of 25 ± 2oC, relative
humidity of 60 ± 10% and photofase of 14 hours. Special cages were used for accompaniment of the adult and of the larval phases of the insects. It was observed that the rearing methodology was satisfactory and secure. During the larval development the insect presented six instars and completed the biological cycle (egg-adult) in
139,5 days.