Abstract
Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) occurs in several countries of South America and its mass rearing is important for biological control programmes. This work evaluated biological aspects of E. connexa larva fed on eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) frozen for one day, fresh eggs of Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), S. frugiperda newly-hatched caterpillars, nymphs of Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) and Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Duration of larva, pupa and larva to adult stages differed among prey offered, whereas the prepupa stage was similar. Larva, pupa, prepupa and larva to adult viabilities were equal or major of 87.5% in all prey, except for larva fed on newly-hatched larvae of S. frugiperda. Eriopis connexa has good adaptation to different prey corroborating its polyphagous feeding habit, which evidences the potential of this natural enemy for controlling corn and sorghum pests.
Highlights
IntroductionAphidophagous Coccinellidae has better development when fed on aphids than with other prey, colonies of these prey represent ephemeral resources, which can be numerous, but for short periods (Michaud and Jyoti, 2007)
Demand for maize, Zea mays L. and sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (Poales: Poaceae) has increased their cultivated area and, problems with insect pests in these crops (Sertkaya et al, 2004; Figueiredo et al, 2006a, b; Cruz et al, 2011).Aphidophagous Coccinellidae has better development when fed on aphids than with other prey, colonies of these prey represent ephemeral resources, which can be numerous, but for short periods (Michaud and Jyoti, 2007)
Polyphagous feeding habits of Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) have been reported (Miller and Paustian, 1992; Miller, 1995; Sarmento et al, 2004, 2007; Silva et al, 2009), suggesting that this predator can feed on a wide number of insect pests of corn and sorghum, but food availability and sustainability are fundamental for establishing a species in a new area (Eubanks and Denno, 2000; Roger et al, 2000; Soares et al, 2004; 2005; Berkvens et al, 2008)
Summary
Aphidophagous Coccinellidae has better development when fed on aphids than with other prey, colonies of these prey represent ephemeral resources, which can be numerous, but for short periods (Michaud and Jyoti, 2007). Larvae of these predators may complete their development with prey that are not aphids but this is poorly studied, eggs of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera have been used as alternative prey for them (Silva et al, 2009, 2010, 2012). Polyphagous feeding habits of Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) have been reported (Miller and Paustian, 1992; Miller, 1995; Sarmento et al, 2004, 2007; Silva et al, 2009), suggesting that this predator can feed on a wide number of insect pests of corn and sorghum, but food availability and sustainability are fundamental for establishing a species in a new area (Eubanks and Denno, 2000; Roger et al, 2000; Soares et al, 2004; 2005; Berkvens et al, 2008).
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