Potential of predatory Neotropical ladybirds and minute pirate bug for biological control of strawberry aphid

ROCCA, M.; GRECO, N.; RIZZO, E.; FRANCESENA N.; ARNEODO J.; ROCCA, M.; GRECO, N.; RIZZO, E.; FRANCESENA N.; ARNEODO J.

ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS.

ACAD BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS

Lugar: Rio de Janeiro; Año: 2019 p. 1 - 11

0001-3765

Laboratory trials were performed to determine the impact of four Neotropical predators, the coccinelids Cycloneda sanguinea (L.), Eriopis connexa (Germar) and Coleomegilla quadrifasciata (Schöenherr), and the minute pirate bug Orius insidiosus (Say) on Chaetosiphon fragaefolii Cockerell compared with Aphis gossypii Glover, two important strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne) pests. The predation rate on nymphs and adults, the predators searching time and preference, and the aphid behavior were evaluated using strawberry leaflets as a substrate. The coccinellids effects on the population growth of C. fragaefolii were also assessed. The consumption rate varied among predators, being significantly lower for the minute pirate bug than for the three coccinellid species. Consumption was higher on A. gossypii than on C. fragaefolii, regardless of the aphids developmental stage. The searching time of all four predators was longer in the presence of C. fragaefolii compared to A. gossypii. The most common avoidance response of aphids was walking away (when confronted to coccinellids) and cornicle secretion (when exposed to O. insidiosus). Coccinellids chosed nymphs and adults of A. gossypii over nymphs and adults of C. fragaefolii, while O. insidiosus showed no preference. C. sanguinea and E. connexa exhibited the highest suppression effect on the growth rate of C. fragaefolii. These experiments indicated that, at a different degree, the four predators evaluated could contribute to reduce strawberry aphid populations.