Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) usando plantas aromáticas como sítio de sobrevivência e reprodução em sistema agroecológico, e aspectos biológicos em condições de Laboratório / Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) using aromatic plants as survival and reproduction site in agroecological system, and biological aspects under laboratory conditions.

Alice Teodorio Lixa

Among the natural enemies of agriculture pests, the Coccinellidae predators are detached. Some coccinellids only complete their development and produce viable eggs and progenies when they consume their preferred prey. However, when this prey is scarce or in presence of a prey of low quality, certain coccinellids feed on alternative food resources, such as extra floral nectar and pollen, to guarantee their survivorship. Thus, the absence of these floral resources limits the occurrence and abundance of ladybeetles in the agroecosystems. Due to these characteristics, the coccinellids have great potential for being managed by the three strategies of biological control: classic, augmentative and conservation. However, to use the coccinellids as biological control agent, more information about their biology and ecology are still necessary. In this context, the present work was conducted with the general objective of producing information about ecological and biological aspects of the Coccinellidae. These approaches are in the Chapters I and II, respectively. In the Chapter I, the studies aimed to determine if Anethum graveolens (dill), Coriandrum sativum (coriander) and Foeniculum vulgare (sweet fennel) favor the abundance of Coccinellidae; to evaluate the potential of these aromatic plants to provide vital resources for these predators; to determine the species diversity of these insects attracted by these plants; and to characterize their community structure. The experiment was carried out in an integrated crop-livestock organic production area (Seropedica/RJ, Brazil) in a completely randomized design with three treatments (aromatic plants) and three replicates. From September 14th, 2007 to January 21st, 2008, samplings of adults and immature stages of ladybeetles were realized. Besides an unidentified species of Chilocorini, Coleomegilla maculata, Coleomegilla quadrifasciata, Cycloneda sanguinea, Eriopis connexa, Harmonia axyridis, Olla v-nigrum and Hippodamia convergens were collected. The dill provided significant increase in the abundance of coccinellids in relation to the coriander and sweet fennel. These three aromatic vegetal species were used as ovipositon sites and shelter for immature forms and adults of ladybeetles. The dill and sweet fennel were also used as mating sites and proved food resources (pollen and/or alternative prey). The principal species visiting these aromatic plants were C. sanguinea, H. convergens, and E. connexa (more frequent, constant and dominant). In the Chapter II, the studies aimed to determine biology aspects of Coleomegilla maculata and Eriopis connexa feed on two diets: ultraviolet-unviable and frozen eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and the alive aphids of Lipaphis erysimi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) under laboratory condition (25 1C, relative humidity of 70 10%, and photophase of 12 hours). The experimental design was complete randomized in a 2x2 split-plot arrangement (two ladybeetle species and two diets). In general, the biological characteristics of C. maculata and E. connexa were similar, when their larvae and adults fed on the two diets. Both diets were suitable for C. maculata and E. connexa, keeping their development and oviposition for a generation, and the eggs of A. kuehniella still maintained the rearing of these ladybeetles for one more generation.

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