Biological aspects of the caterpillar Macrosoma tipulata Hübner and its damage to young leaves of Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild ex Spreng Schum) were studied under laboratory conditions of 24.5 ± 0.7ºC, UR 61.6 ± 9.1% and 12h photophase. The larval stage presented five instars with a total duration of 15.9 ± 4.31 days, and survival of 98%. The pupal period stage was 7.0 ± 0.56 days for males and 6.9 ± 0.56 days for females, with 99% survival for both sex. The pupal mean length was 18.9 ± 0.89 mm for males and 19.1 ± 1.13 mm for females. The mean longevity of the adult was 10.3 ± 2.25 days. The vertical distribution of damage was relatively uniform, with a tendency of greater defoliation in the middle of the treetop, but without significant difference among the three positions.
Insecta; biological development; amazon region
