Natural parasitism of lepidopteran eggs by Trichogramma species (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in agricultural crops in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Authors

  • Amanda Rodrigues de Souza Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Departamento de Proteção Vegetal, Botucatu, São Paulo, 18610-307, Brazil
  • Teresinha Augusta Giustolin Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Janaúba, Minas Gerais, 39440-000, Brazil
  • Ranyse Barbosa Querino Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Meio-Norte, Teresina, Piaui, 64006-220, Brazil
  • Clarice Diniz Alvarenga Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Janaúba, Minas Gerais, 39440-000, Brazil

Keywords:

egg parasitoid, biological control, identification, agroecosystem

Abstract

The genus Trichogramma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) includes insect egg parasitoids that are widely used throughout the world as control agents of pest insects. The aim of this study was to identify the species of Trichogramma naturally associated with the eggs of lepidopteran pests of the following agricultural and horticultural crops: collards, Brassica oleracea L. (Brassicales: Brassicaceae); papaya, Carica papaya L. (Capparales: Caricaceae); tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (Solanales: Solanaceae); cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae); banana, Musa sp. L. (Zingiberales: Musaceae); passion fruit, Passiflora sp. Degener (Malpighiales: Passifloraceae); sugarcane, Saccharum sp. L. (Poales: Poaceae); and corn (maize), Zea mays L. (Poales: Poaceae); and an invasive species (Sodom’s apple milkweed, Calotropis procera Aiton; Gentianales: Apocynaceae) in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We report natural parasitism by Trichogramma in eggs of Agraulis vanillae vanillae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Antichloris eriphia F. (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), Danaus sp. (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Diatraea saccharalis F. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Erinnyis ello L. (Lepidopera: Sphingidae), and Protambulyx strigilis L. (Lepidopera: Sphingidae). In total, 2,242 specimens of Trichogramma were obtained, belonging to the species T. pretiosum Riley, T. manicobai Brun, Moraes & Soares, T. marandobai Brun, Moraes & Soares, and T. galloi Zucchi. These species of Trichogramma may be candidates for biological control programs of lepidopteran pests in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais and in other semiarid regions.

 

Resumen

El género Trichogramma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) incluye insectos parasitoides de huevos que son ampliamente utilizados en el mundo como agentes de control de plagas. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar las especies de Trichogramma naturalmente asociadas con los huevos de plagas de lepidópteros en diversos cultivos: collards, Brassica oleracea L. (Brassicales: Brassicaceae); papaya, Carica papaya L. (Capparales: Caricaceae); tomate, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (Solanales: Solanaceae); yuca, Manihot esculenta Crantz (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae); plátano, Musa sp. L. (Zingiberales: Musaceae); maracuyá, Passiflora sp. Degener (Malpighiales: Passifloraceae); caña de azúcar, Saccharum sp. L. (Poales: Poaceae); y maiz, Zea mays L. (Poales: Poaceae); y una especie invasora (manzana de Sodoma, Calotropis procera Aiton; Gentianales: Apocynaceae) en la región semiárida de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Se observó parasitismo natural por Trichogramma en huevos de Agraulis vanillae vanillae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Antichloris eriphia F. (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), Danaus sp. (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Diatraea saccharalis F. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Erinnyis ello L. (Lepidopera: Sphingidae) y Protambulyx strigilis L. (Lepidopera: Sphingidae). Se obtuvo un total de 2 242 especímenes de Trichogramma pertenecientes a las especies de T. pretiosum Riley, T. manicobai Brun, Moraes & Soares, T. marandobai Brun, Moraes & Soares, y T. galloi Zucchi. Estas especies de Trichogramma podrían ser útiles en los programas de control biológico de plagas de lepidópteros en la región semiárida de Minas Gerais y en otras regiones semiáridas.

 

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Author Biography

Amanda Rodrigues de Souza, Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Departamento de Proteção Vegetal, Botucatu, São Paulo, 18610-307, Brazil

Departamento de Proteção Vegetal

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Published

2016-03-29

Issue

Vol. 99, No. 2 (June 2016)

Section

Research Papers

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