Cogollero (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) asociado a papa aérea (Dioscorea bulbifera) en Gramazú, Chontabamba, Oxapampa, Perú

The family Noctuidae comprises species whose larval stages affect various crops of agricultural interest. In the Gramazú area, Oxapampa district, Oxapampa province, Pasco department (Perú), dark-colored larvae were found feeding on the leaves of air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera L.). In response, the objective of this research was to identify the insect species based on its external morphological characteristics. The study followed a qualitative approach and was observational in nature; thus, a photographic record was made of the larval stages found on D. bulbifera leaves. The observed characteristics were compared with specialized scientific literature for taxonomic identification. According to the results, the insect’s larval stage corresponded to the species Spodoptera eridania (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). In conclusion, S. eridania was identified as a potential pest of Dioscoreaceae in Gramazú.