The looper caterpillar, Pseudoplusia includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a pest that attacks many economically important crops, causing, in most cases, considerable damage. Were conducted surveys of all stages of the insect development from April/2009 to April/2010 in a culture of yellow passion fruit, Passiflora f. flavicarpa in Linhares, state of Espirito Santo, after noting its presence in the area. The caterpillar was observed during April to November/2009 and February to April/2010, however, the most severe outbreaks occurred in June, September and November/2009, reaching rates of up to 80% of leaves damaged. The weed Solanum americanum, is also a host of the insect. As natural enemies were observed the parasitoid Copidosoma truncatellum (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Baculovirus sp. entomopathogen. This is the first record of the occurrence of P. includens in cultivation of yellow passion fruit.
Lepidoptera; passion fruit; natural enemy
