Belvosia sp. (Diptera: Tachinidae) Parasitizing Halysidota sp. (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) Caterpillars on Ficus benjamina (Moraceae) in Brazil

Authors

  • Wagner De Souza Tavares Departamento de Fitotecnia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Enio Nunez Centro Universitário Geraldo Di Biasi, Campus Barra do Piraí—Rodovia Benjamin Ielop, Km 11, 27101-090 Barra do Piraí, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil
  • José Eduardo Serrão Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Marcus Alvarenga Soares Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 39100-900, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
  • Carlos Frederico Wilcken Departamento de Produção Vegetal, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, 18603-970, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
  • José Cola Zanuncio Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Keywords:

Arctiinae, Exoristinae, gregarism, parasitism, Rosales

Abstract

Ficus benjamina L. (Moraceae) is an exotic ornamental plant in Brazil. The aim of this study was to identify a defoliator and its parasitoid on F. benjamina plants in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil and to determine the number of pupae and the emergence of lepidopteran and a dipteran. Four Halysidota sp. (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) groups, with 158, 144, 137 and 129 last-instar caterpillars aggregated on the trunks of 4 F. benjamina trees. These caterpillars were collected, held in plastic containers with ficus leaves until development and emergence were completed. Adults of 1 undescribed lepidopteran species (Halysidota) and 1 dipteran species [Belvosia (Tachinidae)] emerged from the Halysidota pupae. An average of 118 viable Halysidota pupae per group were formed, and an average of 62.5 Belvosia individuals emerged from these host pupae per Halysidota group. From a grand total of 472 Halysidota pupae only one adult emerged. Halysidota sp. damaged F. benjamina plants in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, but this defoliator was parasitized by Belvosia sp. The findings reported here indicate that Belvosia sp. appears to have the potential to reduce populations of Halysidota sp. and possibly protect F. benjamina in ornamental plantings.

 

Ficus benjamina L. (Moraceae) é uma espécie ornamental exótica cultivada no Brasil. O objetivo foi identificar um desfolhador e seu parasitoide em plantas de F. benjamina em Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil e determinar o número de pupas e a taxa de emergência dos Lepidoptera e dos Diptera. Quatro grupos de Halysidota sp. (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), com 158, 144, 137 e 129 lagartas de últimos estádios agregadas sobre os troncos de 4 árvores de F. benjamina foram coletados. Uma espécie não-descrita de Lepidoptera (Halysidota) e outra de Diptera [Belvosia (Tachinidae)] foram obtidas. Os números de pupas foram, em média, de 118 por grupo. A taxa de emergência do Diptera foi de 62,5 indivíduos por grupo de lagartas. Halysidota sp. danificou plantas de F. benjamina em Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil, mas foi parasitada por Belvosia sp. Isso mostra a importância desse Tachinidae para reduzir populações deste desfolhador de F. benjamina, a qual é cultivada como ornamental.

 

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Published

2014-04-08

Issue

Vol. 97, No. 1 (March 2014)

Section

Scientific Notes

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