Abstract
Abstract:Based on the large data set stored in some sugarcane mills regarding the biological control programme ofDiatraea saccharalisusing the parasitoidsCotesia flavipesand tachinid flies, the aim of the present study was to determine whether sugarcane varieties, number of cuts and plant ages are major determinants in promoting spatial variability inD. saccharalis,C. flavipesand tachinid fly populations in sugarcane fields in the state of São Paulo (Brazil). The data set used to support this study was provided by the São João and Barra sugarcane mills. Coefficient of variation was adopted as a measure of the spatial variability of population density. Spatial variability was estimated for the total density ofD. saccharalis(parasitized + unparasitized larvae), and also forD. saccharalislarvae parasitized by tachinids and byC. flavipes. Statistical analysis revealed that the spatial variation inD. saccharalispopulations was influenced by the number of cuts and by plant ages in the Barra and São João Mills, respectively. Similar results were obtained forD. saccharalislarvae parasitized by tachinids; however, in the São João Mill, the spatial variability of these populations was also influenced by the different number of varieties. Finally, consideringD. saccharalislarvae parasitized byC. flavipes, no significant regressions with any of the three categories were observed for both sugarcane mills. The multitrophic implications for this agricultural system are also discussed.
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