Do parasitoid density and host age affect the parasitism of Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)?

Daniel Junior Martins,Isabel Moreira Da Silva,Marinalva Martins Dos Santos,Marcus Alvarenga Soares,Thais Silva Sales,Sebastião Lourenço De Assis Júnior

doi:10.1590/1808-1657000772017

Daniel Junior Martins, Isabel Moreira Da Silva + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1808-1657000772017

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Abstract

ABSTRACT: The incidence of lepidopteran defoliants is one of the environmental factors that regulate the productivity of cultivated forests. The parasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) has significant importance for its efficiency in the parasitism of pupae of these Lepidoptera. The objective of this study was to evaluate the development and reproduction of P. elaeisis in different densities of pupae of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) at different ages. Pupae of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours were exposed at densities of 1:1, 4:1, 10:1, 19:1, 31:1 and 46:1 parasitoids/host, respectively. The parasitoids remained in contact with the pupae for 72 hours in 500 mL plastic pots, conditioned in an air-conditioned room, with temperature of 25 ± 2°C, relative humidity of 70 ± 10% and photoperiod of 12 hours. It was concluded that the density of 10:1 presented great results of parasitism, and further increase of density was not needed. Pupae of 24 and 48 hours had a higher percentage of emergence. Biological variables were affected neither by parasitoid densities nor by host age.

Highlights

The incidence of pest insects is one of the environmental factors that regulate the productivity of cultivated forests (ZANUNCIO et al, 2009)
The adult emergence percentage of P. elaeisis was affected by S. frugiperda pupae age (p < 0.01; F = 5.3211; gl = 3) (Fig. 2A)
The pupae age of S. frugiperda have not reduced the rate of P. elaeisis parasitism

Summary

Introduction

The incidence of pest insects is one of the environmental factors that regulate the productivity of cultivated forests (ZANUNCIO et al, 2009). The endoparasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis (DELVARE; LASALLE, 1993) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is widely known for its efficiency in the parasitism of lepidopteran and coleopteran pupae (PEREIRA et al, 2008; ALVARENGA SOARES et al, 2009) This parasitoid can reproduce in alternative hosts such as Bombyx mori (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hubner, 1818), Alabama argillacea (Hubner, 1823) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) (PEREIRA et al, 2008; 2009; ZANUNCIO et al, 2008). This makes P. elaeisis an efficient alternative for multiplication and field release aiming the control of forests defoliator insects

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