Predator Insect Families Associated With Melon Crop in a Semiarid Region in Brazil

Adriano Soares De Carvalho,Francisco Edivino Lopes Silva,Elton Lucio Araujo,Adrian José Molina-Rugama,Ewerton Marinho Costa

doi:10.5539/jas.v10n10p267

Adriano Soares De Carvalho, Francisco Edivino Lopes Silva + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v10n10p267

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Abstract

Knowledge of diversity of natural enemies in agroecosystems is vital for the integrated pest management. However, surveys of beneficial insects (predators and parasitoids) in the melon crop (Cucumis melo L.) in the semiarid region in Brazil are scarce. Thus, the objective of this study was to know the families of predator insects associated with melon crop in a semiarid region in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), one of the main melon producers in Brazil. The survey study was carried out in a commercial melon area, in the municipality of Bara&uacute;na (RN). The samples were collected weekly during the cycle of melon, using passive (Pitfall and Moericke traps) and active (sweep net) collection methods. A total of 13 families of predator insects were collected. The families with the highest relative abundances in the passive collection method were Labiduridae (89.53%) and Formicidae (6.91%), while in the active collection method were Chrysopidae (59.81%) and Staphylinidae (20.56%). These families contain important species of predator which can promote crop pest suppression in melon agricultural systems.

Highlights

Melon crop (Cucumis melo L.) is one of the main segments of agribusiness in the Northeast region of Brazil, where the state of Rio Grande do Norte is the largest melon producer (IBGE, 2016)
In the Brazilian semiarid region, the melon crop is usually infested by pests such as whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), leafminer Liriomyza sativae (Diptera: Agromyzidae) and melonworm Diaphania nitidalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) (Araujo et al, 2008)
In the passive collection method, Pitfall and Moericke traps were installed on the 11th day after planting (DAP), in the density of 20 traps of each type per hectare

Summary

Introduction

Melon crop (Cucumis melo L.) is one of the main segments of agribusiness in the Northeast region of Brazil, where the state of Rio Grande do Norte is the largest melon producer (IBGE, 2016). Successful IPM requires a thorough knowledge of the pest insect’s biology, their natural enemies, and the crop to allow rational use of a variety of cultivation and control techniques under differing circumstances (Gullan & Cranston, 2017). In this context is essential to know and conserve the diversity of agents of biological control (predators and parasitoids) present in the agroecosystems (Crowder & Jabbour, 2014)

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