New records of natural enemies of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in Pernambuco, Brazil

ABSTRACT

We report the occurrence of natural enemies of Plutella xylostela (L.) in organically farmed kale in Pernambuco, Brazil. Seven natural enemies were observed parasitizing or preying on larvae and pupae of P. xylostella - three parasitoids Cotesia plutellae Kurdjumov (Hym. Braconidae), Conura pseudofulvovariegata (Becker) (Hym. Chalcididae) and Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) (Hym. Eulophidae), and four predators Cheiracanthium inclusum (Hentz) (Araneae Miturgidae), Pheidole sp.Westwood (Hym. Formicidae), nymphs and adults of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hem. Pentatomidae), and one unidentified species of solitary wasp. Beyond recording these natural enemies, data on predation of P. xylostella larvae in the field and laboratory by C. inclusum are presented.