Brachygastra mellifica (Hymenoptera: Vespidae): Feeding Behavior and Preferential Predation on Diaphorina citri (Hempitera: Liviidae) Life Stages in México
Keywords:
Diaphorina citri, Brachygastra mellifica, feeding behavior, Mexican honey waspAbstract
In a lemon grove located at Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, during 2011-2012, a study was conducted through direct observations and video films to determine the predatory behavior of the Mexican honey wasp, Brachygastra mellifica (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), on the various developmental stages of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, one of the most devastating citrus pests in the world. New flushes infested by eggs and the 5 instars of D. citri were manually exposed to this predator to study its preference for the different developmental stages. Other observations on its feeding behavior were made directly on infested flushes in the trees, during the foraging activity of the vespid. Results indicated that B. mellifica preferred the 4th and 5th instar D. citri nymphs more than the 2nd and 3rd instars. Eggs and first instar nymphs were mostly passed over because of their size and position in the flush. Occasionally, B. mellifica consumed D. citri adults. This predator represents a potential tool for natural control of D. citri in northern Mexico and southern USA through a program of management and conservation of beneficial insects.
En un huerto de Limon Mexicano ubicado en Río Bravo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, durante 2011-2012, se realizó el presente estudio mediante observaciones directas y video filmaciones, para determinar el comportamiento de depredación del Vespido Brachygastra mellifica sobre estados de desarrollo del psilido Asiatico de los cítricos Diaphorina citri, una de las plagas más devastadoras de los cítricos en el mundo. Brotes tiernos infestados con huevos y ninfas de diversos instares fueron manualmente expuestos al depredador para estudiar su preferencia por los diferentes estados de desarrollo. Otras observaciones acerca de su comportamiento de alimentación se realizaron directamente en brotes tiernos de los arboles durante la actividad de forrajeo del depredador. Los resultados indicaron que B. mellifica prefirió depredar ninfas de 4° y 5° instar y después, ninfas de 2° y 3° instar. Huevos y ninfas de primer instar fueron prácticamente discriminados debido a su tamaño y posición en el brote. Ocasionalmente, B. mellifica depredo adultos. Este depredador representa una herramienta potencial para control natural de D. citri en el norte de Mexico y sur de EUA, a través de un programa de manejo y conservación de insectos beneficos.
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