Influence of Atlantic Rain Forest remnants on the biological control of Euselasia apisaon (Dahman) (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) by Trichogramma maxacalii (Voegelé e Pointel) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

• Published in: Neotropical entomology Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 229 - 232
• Main Authors: Murta, Aline F, Ker, Fabrício T O, Costa, Dalbert B, Espírito-Santo, Mário M, Faria, Maurício L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Netherlands 01-03-2008
• Subjects: Animals; Brazil; Eucalyptus; Eucalyptus - parasitology; Hymenoptera; Hymenoptera - physiology; Insect Control - methods; Lepidoptera; Riodinidae; Trees; Trichogramma; Trichogrammatidae; Brazil
• ISSN: 1519-566X; 1678-8052
• DOI: 10.1590/S1519-566X2008000200019

This study evaluated the effects of Atlantic Rain Forest remnants on the natural biological control of Euselasia apisaon (Dahman) by the parasitoid Trichogramma maxacalii (Voegelé e Pointel) in Eucalyptus plantations. The number of E. apisaon eggs/leaf was higher in the center than in the edge of the plantations (23.5 +/- 7.61 vs. 14.8 +/- 3.14), but parasitism showed the reversed pattern (72.4% in the center and 80.5% in the edge). The results indicated that natural regulation exerted by T. maxacalii on populations of E. apisaon may be enhanced by the preservation of fragments of native vegetation surrounding Eucalyptus plantations.