Parasitism of lepidopteran defoliators of urban plants by Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Authors

  • Wagner de Souza Tavares Universidade Federal de Viçosa
  • Marcus Vinicius Masson Bahia Specialty Cellulose/Copener Florestal Ltda.
  • Pedro José Ferreira-Filho Universidade Federal de São Carlos
  • Leonardo Rodrigues Barbosa Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Florestas
  • Wiane Meloni Silva Universidade Federal de Viçosa
  • Carlos Frederico Wilcken Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”
  • José Cola Zanuncio Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Keywords:

alternative host, mass rearing, parasitism rate, Tenebrio molitor

Abstract

Heraclides anchisiades capys (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), Citioica anthonilis (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), and Methona themisto (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) are tree and shrub pests commonly found in urban areas. The parasitism capacity of Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) was evaluated on pupae of these lepidopteran pests as well as on 2 commonly used alternative hosts, Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The number of parasitoids produced per mg of host pupal biomass was significantly greater on H. anchisiades capys and T. molitor compared with the other 3 lepidopteran species. The mean number of parasitoids emerging per host pupa was also significantly more on H. anchisiades capys compared with C. anthonilis, M. themisto, A. gemmatalis, or T. molitor. All host species tested in this study show the potential to be used in mass rearing P. elaeisis in the laboratory. However, the lower parasitism and emergence of P. elaeisis on H.anchisiades capys pupae suggests that this lepidopteran pest may not be a suitable host for this parasitoid in the field.

 

 

Resumen

Heraclides anchisiades capys (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), Citioica anthonilis (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) y Methona themisto (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) son plagas de árboles y arbustos, comúnmente, encontrados en áreas urbanas. La capacidad de parasitismo de Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) fue evaluada en pupas de estos lepidópteros plaga, así como en dos hospederos alternativos comúnmente usados, Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) y Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). El número de parasitoides producido por miligramo de biomasa de pupa del hospedero fue significantemente mejor en H. anchisiades capys y T. molitor comparado con otras tres especies de lepidópteras. El número promedio de parasitoides emergidos por pupa de hospedero fue significantemente mayor en H. anchisiades capys comparado con C. anthonilis, M. themisto, A. gemmatalis y T. molitor. Todas las especies de hospederos probados en este estudio, mostraron potencial para la cría en masa de P. elaeisis en laboratorio. Sin embargo, el bajo parasitismo y emergencia de P. elaeisis en las pupas de H. anchisiade scapys, sugiere que este lepidóptero plaga no sea un hospedero adecuado para ese parasitoide en el campo.

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Author Biographies

Wagner de Souza Tavares, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Departamento de Fitotecnia/Programa de Pós-Graduação em Fitotecnia

Pedro José Ferreira-Filho, Universidade Federal de São Carlos

Departamento de Ciências Ambientais

Wiane Meloni Silva, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Departamento de Engenharia Florestal

Carlos Frederico Wilcken, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”

Departamento de Proteção Vegetal

José Cola Zanuncio, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Departamento de Entomologia/BIOAGRO

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Published

2019-04-27

Issue

Vol. 101, No. 3 (September 2018)

Section

Research Papers

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