ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Several studies have shown that the survival and reproduction of lacewings varies depending on the type of prey they consumed, especially during the first instar. In this study, we evaluated the effect of a diet consisting of Ephestia kuehniella (EK) and/or Planococcus-citri (PC) eggs offered to first instar Chrysoperla externa on subsequent development and survival. Larvae supplied only with P. citri (PC) nymphs had extended immature development, low survival, adults with lower weight and longevity, low fecundity and egg viability, and lower net reproduction rate (R0). Larvae submitted to the treatment EK+PC responded positively to the diet, showing results similar to those obtained in the control-EK treatment. Therefore, this mealybug supports suitable development and reproduction of C. externa when it is provided to second instar larvae after they fed on E. kuehniella eggs as first instars. As far as we know, this is the first report that demonstrates the effect of natural prey and alternatives on different larval stages of lacewings. This information is valuable in developing protocols for use of C. externaas a pest control agent.
ABSTRACT
São apresentados os resultados dos estudos com Trichogramma no Brasil, especialmente aqueles desenvolvidos na ESALQ/USP, nas últimas duas décadas (1984-2004). O projeto, envolvendodesde a taxonomia, técnicas de criação, aspectos biológicos e comportamentais das pragas e dos parasitóides, dinâmica populacional das pragas, técnicas de liberação,estudos de seletividade, avaliação da eficiência, pode ser considerado um modelo e foi seguido por outros programas de controle biológico no Brasil e na América Latina. O programa gerou inúmeras publicações, permitindo a formação derecursos humanos na área, abrindo novas áreas de pesquisa e mostrando que o parasitóide pode ser usado no controle de pragas-chave do algodoeiro, cana-de-açúcar, grãos armazenados, hortaliças, milho, soja e tomateiro. As perspectivas do uso do parasitóides possibilitaram a criação de empresaspara comercializá-los no Brasil, transferindo mais facilmente a tecnologia ao usuário.
Results of studies with Trichogramma in Brazil are presented, especially those developed at ESALQ/USP in the past two decades (1984-2004). The project involved taxonomy, rearing techniques,biological and behavioral aspects of the pests and parasitoids, pest population dynamics, release techniques, selectivity studies, and efficiency evaluation. It can be considered a model project and has been adopted by other biological control programs in Brazil and Latin America. The program has givenrise to a number of publications, allowing the formation of human resources in this area and openingnew research areas. The results indicated that the parasitoid can be used to control key pests in cotton, sugarcane, stored grain, vegetables, corn, soybean, and tomato. The perspective of using the parasitoidhas stimulated the creation of companies to commercialize it in Brazil, thus more easily transferring thistechnology to users.