Viability of artificial diets and preys for Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) / Viabilidade de dietas artificiais e presas para Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2009

RESUMO

This research was conducted in the Laboratory of Insects Rearing (LACRI), of the Brazilian Company of Agricultural Research (EMBRAPA Maize and Sorghum Research Center) in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The objective was to study biological aspects of the immature phase of Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), with different artificial diets or preys common to the brazilian corn and sorghum agroecosystems, to develop a rearing methodology and to generate information necessary to the introduction of the predator in the crop system. The experimental design was an entirely randomized blocks, with the larvae of predator maintained in an acclimatized room, under 251C, 7010% RH and photophase of 12 hours. The artificial diets were based on ground pet food or diets based on water, brewer s yeast and honey, with or without the addition of ferrous sulphate (FeSO4), wheat germ and soybean flour. The preys offered to E. connexa were eggs (one day or six months frozen) of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), eggs (fresh) of Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae); eggs (fresh, one day or six months frozen) of Spodoptera frugiperda, with or without scales; recently hatched caterpillars of S. frugiperda; nymphs of Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) or Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). All food sources were support ad libitum to E. connexa. Artificial diets, separately, did not support the development of E. connexa. Recently hatched caterpillars of S. frugiperda or eggs of A. kuehniella (six months of freezing), separately or complemented with the artificial diets, were inadequate. Eggs of A. kuehniella frozen for one day, fresh eggs of D. saccharalis, fresh eggs of S. frugiperda without or with scales, frozen for one day or six months, nymphs of S. graminum and R. maidis provided adequate development of the immature phases of the predator, evidencing the polyphagous habit of E. connexa. The results obtained also indicated the nutritional requirements of the predator and can be used to explain the success or not of E. connexa in biological control programs. Eriopis connexa adapted to different food sources, and in the field, it would not be restricted to only one source; and in this way, it could modulate its alimentary regime with alternative food, which is important for the biological control and shows its potential to control corn and sorghum pests.

ASSUNTO(S)

biological control ladybugs alternative food predador zoologia predator controle biológico criação massal mass rearing alimentos alternativos joaninhas

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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