Soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, is an important pest of North American soybean. This dissertation identifies and addresses knowledge gaps, and integrates existing knowledge regarding distribution and abundance of this species. Early summer soybean colonization patterns by A. glycines were examined relative to landscape parameters, including density of overwintering hosts (buckthorn). An information-theoretic model selection approach was used to determine which landscape parameters were most influential in the distribution of colonizing aphids. Though buckthorn abundance best explained aphid colonization and population density, a density-dependent effect was observed. When aphid populations were low, more aphids were found in the vicinity of buckthorn, when aphid populations were higher, more aphids were found farther from buckthorn. Suction trap captures of migrating populations of A. glycines from 2005-2009 from a suction trap network covering much of central North America were examined. A model selection approach was used to determine the environmental triggers of summer and fall aphid flights, and spatial analysis and modeled wind trajectories were used to examine patterns in the abundance of alates. Two alate activity peaks were observed in fall. In summer, formation of alates was a function of field infestation. A tritrophic population model was built using DYMEX, a mechanistic lifecycle based modeling software package. The model incorporated soybean, A. glycines, and three natural enemy species, interacting based on phenological, physiological and functional response data available in the literature. The model was validated using Ontario field data, and several simulations were performed and are discussed. An evaluation of proposed control strategies for efficacy and impact on natural enemies and the environment was conducted. Two novel concepts are presented: the natural enemy unit, a standardization of the impact of predator guild on prey populations by the number of prey an individual predator can eat, and the selectivity index, where the selectivity of a pesticide is a function of the change in ratio of natural enemy units to prey before and after treatment. The selectivity index was inversely correlated with the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ), a theoretical measure of impact, validating EIQ's field applicability. / Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; The Keefer family trust; the Mary Edmunds Williams trust, the family of Fred W. Presant, and the University of Guelph provided scholarship and fellowship funds. Research was funded by a grant to Rebecca Hallett and Art Schaafsma from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Pest Management Centre’s Pesticide Risk Reduction Program.

Orientador: Julio Cesar Galli / Banca: Arlindo Leal Boiça Júnior / Banca: Francisco Jorge Cividanes / Banca: Valter Arthur / Banca: Antonio Lucio Mello Martins / Resumo: Considerando-se a importância de estudos relacionados a entomofauna em pomares de goiaba para projetos de manejo integrado de pragas, foi desenvolvido o presente trabalho, com os seguintes objetivos principais: a) Conhecer a dinâmica populacional dos psilídeos e das moscas-das-frutas nos pomares das Regiões de Jaboticabal-SP e Pindorama-SP; b) Analisar a entomofauna associada aos pomares em cada região; c) Relacionar quais tefritídeos são mais freqüentes em cada região; d) Conhecer a entomofauna de solo nas duas regiões e identificar os principais inimigos naturais; e) Avaliar a eficiência do gradiente de concentração de Moscatex, inclusive com mistura de suco açucarado de goiaba; f) Estudar as correlações das dinâmicas populacionais de inimigos naturais com os fatores meteorológicos nas duas regiões. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida durante o período de agosto de 2007 a julho de 2009 em pomares experimentais da FCAV/UNESP Jaboticabal-SP e do Pólo Regional Centro Norte da Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios - Apta em Pindorama-SP e no Laboratório de Seletividade Ecológica da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias da Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP - Campus de Jaboticabal, SP. Com base nos resultados obtidos e nas condições de desenvolvimento do presente projeto, foi possível obter as seguintes conclusões principais: a) Anastrepha sp. é o gênero de maior ocorrência nos pomares de Jaboticabal-SP e Pindorama-SP.; b) Moscatex 5% + suco de goiaba é o tratamento mais atrativo para moscas-das-frutas em Jaboticabal-SP; c) Triozoida sp. apresentou correlação positiva com o inimigo natural Scymnus sp. nos dois pomares experimentais (Jaboticabal-SP e Pindorama-SP); d) Scymnus sp. é o inimigo natural com maior número de indivíduos coletados em armadilhas adesivas amarelas nos pomares de Jaboticabal-SP e Pindorama-SP... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Considered the importance of studies related to entomofauna in guava orchards to project of integrated pest management was developed the present work with the following principal objectives: a) to know the populational dynamic of Psyllidae and fruit fly in orchards in regions of Jaboticabal-SP and Pindorama-SP; b) to analyze the entomofauna associated to orchards in each region; c) to related which Tephritidae insects are more frequents in each region; d) to know the entomofauna of ground in two regions and identify the principal natural enemies; e) to evaluate the efficiency of gradient of concentration of Moscatex, include with mix of sweeten juice of guava; f) to study of the correlations of populational dynamics of naturals enemies with the meteorological factors in two regions. The research was developed during the period of august 2007 to july 2009 in experimental orchards in FCAV/UNESP- Jaboticabal-SP and APTA-Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios in Pindorama-SP and in the Laboratory of Ecological Selectivity of Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias da Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP- Campus de Jaboticabal, SP. The results allowed to conclude: a) Anastrepha is the genus more frequent in orchards in Jaboticabal-SP and Pindorama-SP; b) Moscatex 5% + guava juice is the treatment more attractive to fruit fly in Jaboticabal-SP; c) Triozoida sp. presented positive correlation with the natural enemy Scymnus sp. In two experimental orchards (Jaboticabal-SP and Pindorama-SP); d) Scymnus sp. is the natural enemy with the most number collected in adhesives yellow traps in orchards in Jaboticabal-SP and Pindorama-SP; e) Formicidae is the family with the most number of insects in the traps like pitfall; f) Pheidole sp. is the genus of Formicidae super dominant in the orchards in Jaboticabal-SP and Pindorama-SP... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

xvi, 109 p. : ill. / Invasions by introduced plant species cost billions of dollars each year in the United States and threaten native habitat. The primary goal of my dissertation research was to examine the role that natural enemies (pathogens and herbivores) play in these invasions in both unmanaged and restored plant communities. In two related studies in seasonal wetland prairies in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA, I surveyed natural enemy attack on common native and introduced plant species in a restoration experiment designed to test the effects of site preparation techniques on plant community composition. Restoration treatments had little influence on enemy attack rates. Attack rates depended on idiosyncratic differences in the relationships between host species and plant community characteristics, suggesting that existing theories concerning these relationships have limited predictive power. Another field experiment tested the potential for enemy spillover from introduced to native species and dilution of natural enemy attack on introduced species by native species. I examined natural enemy attack on three native and three perennial grasses that commonly co-occur in the Willamette Valley. The native species are commonly used in restoration. The introduced species are common throughout North America and potentially harbor enemies that could affect both crops and natural communities. There was no compelling evidence of enemy spillover from the introduced to the native species, but dilution of enemies on the introduced species by the native species was evident in year 2 and even stronger in year 3 for two of the three introduced species. Using the same three introduced species from the spillover/dilution study, I tested the enemy release hypothesis, which proposes that introduced species lose natural enemies upon introduction and are thus "released" from population control. I surveyed populations of the three grass species across a wide geographic area in their native and naturalized ranges in Europe and the United States, respectively. I also compared my results to those of a previously published literature survey. My field survey supported release from herbivores but not from fungal pathogens. In contrast, the literature survey found evidence of release from fungal pathogens. This dissertation includes unpublished co-authored material. / Committee in charge: Brendan Bohannan, Chairperson; Bitty Roy, Co-Advisor; Scott Bridgham, Co-Advisor; Eric Seabloom, Member; Robert Mauro, Outside Member

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-10-01Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:42:55Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 baptista_apm_dr_jabo.pdf: 922563 bytes, checksum: e550ed5be3217654b8f34a0ea2b4d436 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Considerando-se a importância de estudos relacionados a entomofauna em pomares de goiaba para projetos de manejo integrado de pragas, foi desenvolvido o presente trabalho, com os seguintes objetivos principais: a) Conhecer a dinâmica populacional dos psilídeos e das moscas-das-frutas nos pomares das Regiões de Jaboticabal-SP e Pindorama-SP; b) Analisar a entomofauna associada aos pomares em cada região; c) Relacionar quais tefritídeos são mais freqüentes em cada região; d) Conhecer a entomofauna de solo nas duas regiões e identificar os principais inimigos naturais; e) Avaliar a eficiência do gradiente de concentração de Moscatex, inclusive com mistura de suco açucarado de goiaba; f) Estudar as correlações das dinâmicas populacionais de inimigos naturais com os fatores meteorológicos nas duas regiões. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida durante o período de agosto de 2007 a julho de 2009 em pomares experimentais da FCAV/UNESP Jaboticabal-SP e do Pólo Regional Centro Norte da Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios – Apta em Pindorama-SP e no Laboratório de Seletividade Ecológica da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias da Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP – Campus de Jaboticabal, SP. Com base nos resultados obtidos e nas condições de desenvolvimento do presente projeto, foi possível obter as seguintes conclusões principais: a) Anastrepha sp. é o gênero de maior ocorrência nos pomares de Jaboticabal-SP e Pindorama-SP.; b) Moscatex 5% + suco de goiaba é o tratamento mais atrativo para moscas-das-frutas em Jaboticabal-SP; c) Triozoida sp. apresentou correlação positiva com o inimigo natural Scymnus sp. nos dois pomares experimentais (Jaboticabal-SP e Pindorama-SP); d) Scymnus sp. é o inimigo natural com maior número de indivíduos coletados em armadilhas adesivas amarelas nos pomares de Jaboticabal-SP e Pindorama-SP... / Considered the importance of studies related to entomofauna in guava orchards to project of integrated pest management was developed the present work with the following principal objectives: a) to know the populational dynamic of Psyllidae and fruit fly in orchards in regions of Jaboticabal-SP and Pindorama-SP; b) to analyze the entomofauna associated to orchards in each region; c) to related which Tephritidae insects are more frequents in each region; d) to know the entomofauna of ground in two regions and identify the principal natural enemies; e) to evaluate the efficiency of gradient of concentration of Moscatex, include with mix of sweeten juice of guava; f) to study of the correlations of populational dynamics of naturals enemies with the meteorological factors in two regions. The research was developed during the period of august 2007 to july 2009 in experimental orchards in FCAV/UNESP- Jaboticabal-SP and APTA-Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios in Pindorama-SP and in the Laboratory of Ecological Selectivity of Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias da Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP- Campus de Jaboticabal, SP. The results allowed to conclude: a) Anastrepha is the genus more frequent in orchards in Jaboticabal-SP and Pindorama-SP; b) Moscatex 5% + guava juice is the treatment more attractive to fruit fly in Jaboticabal-SP; c) Triozoida sp. presented positive correlation with the natural enemy Scymnus sp. In two experimental orchards (Jaboticabal-SP and Pindorama-SP); d) Scymnus sp. is the natural enemy with the most number collected in adhesives yellow traps in orchards in Jaboticabal-SP and Pindorama-SP; e) Formicidae is the family with the most number of insects in the traps like pitfall; f) Pheidole sp. is the genus of Formicidae super dominant in the orchards in Jaboticabal-SP and Pindorama-SP... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Current agroecosystem management practices have a negative effect on natural enemies and their ability to control insect pests. Conservation biological control through the addition of flowering resources can manage food resources for natural enemies. These floral resources can also provide multiple ecosystem services. Study goals were to determine if perennial Thymus vulgaris L. was attractive to natural enemies and if so, could it be a dual use resource encouraging pest management and providing harvestable product. In 2018 plots in three locations were used to examine the effect of habitat throughout the growing season on the attractiveness of T. vulgaris. Large numbers of Thysanoptera and Hemiptera were collected in all locations, represented by phytophagous Aphididae and Thripidae, and predatory Anthocoridae. Location influenced other families to varying degrees. Seasonal specimen counts were influenced by vegetation density, floral phenology, and predator/prey relationships. In 2019 replicated plots of three treatments were used to examine if harvesting plant material affected the attractiveness of T. vulgaris to natural enemies. Total specimens in 2019 were not significantly different among treatments, indicating removal of blooms did not significantly affect the attractiveness of T. vulgaris. Significant numbers of Thysanoptera and Hemiptera were again collected in all treatments, represented by phytophagous Aphididae and Thripidae. Greater numbers of Diptera and Hymenoptera were also collected. Significant numbers of Thripidae, Aphididae, Mymaridae, and Platygastridae were found in the Family level analyses. Results from both years indicate T. vulgaris was attractive to natural enemy and phytophagous Families. Data from 2018 suggest natural enemy families were attracted to alternative prey and hosts utilizing the foliage rather than flowers but the use of nectar and pollen cannot be ruled out. Data from 2019 suggest the presence of flowers played an important role in the attractiveness of T. vulgaris to micro-hymenopteran parasitoids, Syrphidae, and native Apidae. In conclusion, Thymus vulgaris has the potential to be a dual use floral resource that benefits growers through supporting native enemy populations and pollination services, as well as provide income from the harvest of foliage. It could also be used as a beneficial, harvestable floral resource in urban gardens to encourage pollinator conservation and natural pest control.

<p>Rust fungi (Pucciniales) are plant pathogens that cause diseases on economically important crops worldwide and threaten native plants with extinction. Fungicides and disease-resistant plant varieties are the two primary options to control rust diseases. However, more aggressive rust races are emerging, and the current control methods are not as efficient at managing disease as they have been in the past. Thus, we must find other alternatives to keep rust fungi at low population levels to prevent high-yield losses and preserve our natural ecosystems. Biological control (BC) is one promising alternative to the current control methods. BC uses natural enemies (NEs), such as insects and microorganisms, to control pests and plant diseases. However, because the NEs of rust fungi are scarcely documented and not well characterized, using BC for rust diseases is not feasible with the current state of knowledge. Characterization studies of NEs of rust fungi are essential to select or discard potential biological control agents. How do NEs infect or feed the rust? Are NEs specific to rust species or genera? How diverse are they? and how adapted are they to different geographic regions? These are a few of the unresolved questions needed to answer to tap the potential of NEs in applied research for the biological control of rust diseases. This dissertation thesis had three aims: 1) to catalog the NEs of rust fungi from the Arthur Fungarium (PUR) rust collections emphasizing specimens from the Americas and providing barcoding sequences, photographs, and morphological descriptions. This was accomplished by thoroughly screening ca. 50% of the accepted rust genera collected over 200 years from across the globe and from 166 host plant families; 2) to describe new fungal species associated with rust fungi; and 3) to characterize the two most common NEs of rust fungi in aspects related to species diversity, host preference, geographic distribution, and antagonistic interactions. Of the 5,618 randomly screened rust specimens, we found 543 specimens with fungal NEs or hyperparasites. These belonged to the fungal genera <em>Helicobasidium</em>, <em>Ramularia</em>, <em>Sphaerellopsis</em>, <em>Simplicillium</em>, and <em>Trochila</em>. In addition to fungal antagonists, we found larvae of the gall midge <em>Mycodiplosis</em>, whose larval stage feeds rust spores, present in 287 specimens. Among these NEs, the fungal genus <em>Sphaerellopsis</em> and the fly larvae <em>Mycodiplosis</em> were the most commonly associated with rust fungi samples. Therefore, we focused on members of these two genera to determine their host-specificity, geographic distribution and describe early antagonistic interaction events. Our results suggest that members of <em>Sphaerellopsis</em> and <em>Mycodiplosis</em> do not prefer specific rust species or genera. Thus, further studies on non-target species are needed to determine how broad their host range is. In addition, we found that both NEs have a cosmopolitan distribution. However, the fly larvae of <em>Mycodiplosis</em> show distribution patterns, suggesting that some of these species are regionally restricted, especially in the Americas. This result is an exciting finding for conservation biological control where native NEs could be stimulated to increase their populations and control targeted pests. Thus, <em>Mycodiplosis</em> larvae may be a good candidate for local use to control rust diseases without introducing non-native invasive species to new environments. Lastly, we describe the antagonistic interaction events between <em>Sphaerellopsis macroconidialis</em> and the urediniospores of southern corn rust, <em>Puccinia polysora</em>. Although <em>S. macroconidialis </em>was reported as a NE of rust fungi, the nature of the interaction had not been previously described. Herein, we observed how the hyphae of <em>S. macroconidialis</em> grew along the urediniospores germinative tube and tightly coiled around this structure. We also observed a turgor loss of the germinative tube a few days after interacting with the NE. Overall, these results contribute significantly to the characterization of the NEs of rust fungi for further studies in biological control and to develop sustainable agronomical practices in controlling rust diseases.</p>

Orientador: Carlos Frederico Wilcken / Banca: Edson Luiz Lopes Baldin / Banca: Nádia Cristina de Oliveira / Banca: Luiz Alexandre Nogueira de Sá / Banca: Leonardo Rodrigues Barbosa / Resumo: O gênero Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) é originário da Austrália e hospeda várias espécies de insetos da família Psyllidae. Dentre elas, o psilídeo-de-concha Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), que é considerada uma das principais pragas introduzidas desta cultura no Brasil e em outros países. O parasitóide Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) é indicado como principal agente no controle biológico desta praga. Devido a sua importância econômica, esse trabalho objetivou estudar as populações de G. brimblecombei e de P. bliteus em floresta de Eucalyptus camaldulensis para determinação de sua distribuição espacial, flutuação populacional, a relação com fatores meteorológicos (temperatura e precipitação), e determinar o índice de parasitismo pós liberação de P. bliteus em campo. O estudo da dinâmica populacional do psilídeo-de-concha e do seu parasitóide foi realizado através da utilização de 53 armadilhas amarelas e da coleta de 53 ramos/avaliação em um talhão de 19 ha com E. camaldulensis em Luiz Antônio, SP, com 42 avaliações, entre janeiro de 2006 a janeiro de 2008. Concluiu-se que as populações de ambas espécies apresentaram distribuição espacial agregada, possuem correlação inversamente proporcional à temperatura, e a precipitação pluviométrica; ocorreu aumento no índice de parasitismo em todos os pontos de liberação de P. bliteus. no período avaliado / Abstract: The genus Eucalyptus is originally from Australia and hosts several species of insects of the family Psylidae. Among them, the red gum lerp psyllid is considered one of the main pests of this crop introduced in Brazil and other countries. However, for the control of phytophagous hemiptera, the treatment with insecticides proved to be expensive and unsustainable. The psylllid specific parasitic wasp Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is indicated as the main biological control agent of this pest. Due to its economic importance, this study aimed to evaluate G. brimblecombei and P. bliteus population in Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantations to determine their spatial distribution, population fluctuation with weather interactions (temperature and rainfall), and also to determine parasitism rates in the field after release of P. bliteus. The study of population dynamic of red gum lerp psyllid and its parasitoid (53 traps sampled and 53 branches sampled per sampling dates) was carried out on E. camaldulensis plantations in 19 ha area in Luiz Antônio municipality (SP, Brazil), from January 2006 to January 2008 (42 sampling dates). This research indicated that population of both species noticed especial aggregated distribution, inversely proportional subject to temperature. Besides, was found correlation between both species and rainfall. There was also at measured period an increase in the parasitism rate at all release points of P. bliteus / Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T19:15:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ROBERTA KELIA B SILVA A.pdf: 784643 bytes, checksum: 092fd8f80edefb4e66110de6f8ed33b1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-04-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The leafminer Liriomyza trifolii is nowadays the main pest of melon orchards in the region of Chapada do Apodi, Northeast of Brazil. In order of the high infestation level of this insect, the control based only in pesticides has not been plenty satisfactory. However, considerable parasitism levels occasioned by Opius sp. have been found in field, mainly in the beginning of the production. Because of this fact, the first studies with this parasitoid are been developed in the Entomology Laboratory of UFERSA. The present study had the objective of adapting a rearing technique to the parasitoid Opius sp. in laboratory conditions, and study the aspects of it s parasitism, aiming the future utilization of this parasitoid in the leafminer integrated management programs, in the Semi-Arid conditions of Rio Grande do Norte State. Initially, infested melon leaves with L. trifolii larvae were collected in field to obtain the parasitoids. From the first parasitoids obtained from field, a technique to multiply them in L. trifolii on melon plants was developed. In the observations of the parasitism aspects of Opius sp., was perceived that it prefer to oviposite in 2nd and 3rd instar larvae. In addition, was observed that females present the highest levels of parasitism in the first two days of life / A mosca-minadora Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae), é atualmente a principal praga do meloeiro Cucumis melo L., na região da Chapada do Apodi, nordeste brasileiro. Devido às altas infestações deste inseto, o controle baseado exclusivamente no uso de inseticidas não tem sido plenamente satisfatório. Por outro lado, índices consideráveis de parasitismo, ocasionados pelo parasitóide Opius sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), têm sido constatado em campo, principalmente no início da safra. Em função deste fato, estudos básicos com este parasitóide estão sendo realizados no Laboratório de Entomologia da UFERSA, Mossoró, RN. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho objetivou descrever uma técnica para criação de Opius sp., em condições de laboratório, e estudar aspectos de seu parasitismo, visando sua utilização em futuros programas de manejo integrado da mosca-minadora do meloeiro, nas condições do semi-árido do Rio Grande do Norte. Inicialmente, folhas de meloeiro infestadas com larvas da mosca-minadora foram coletadas em campo para obtenção dos parasitóides. A partir dos primeiros parasitóides obtidos foi adaptada uma técnica para multiplicação destes sobre L. trifolii em plantas de meloeiro. Nas observações sobre os aspectos do parasitismo do Opius sp., constatou-se que estes preferem ovipositar em larvas de 2º e 3º ínstar. Além disso, foi observado que as fêmeas do Opius sp. apresentam maiores índices de parasitismo nos primeiros dois dias de vida

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T19:18:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ROBERTA KELIA B SILVA A.pdf: 784643 bytes, checksum: 092fd8f80edefb4e66110de6f8ed33b1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-04-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The leafminer Liriomyza trifolii is nowadays the main pest of melon orchards in the region of Chapada do Apodi, Northeast of Brazil. In order of the high infestation level of this insect, the control based only in pesticides has not been plenty satisfactory. However, considerable parasitism levels occasioned by Opius sp. have been found in field, mainly in the beginning of the production. Because of this fact, the first studies with this parasitoid are been developed in the Entomology Laboratory of UFERSA. The present study had the objective of adapting a rearing technique to the parasitoid Opius sp. in laboratory conditions, and study the aspects of it s parasitism, aiming the future utilization of this parasitoid in the leafminer integrated management programs, in the Semi-Arid conditions of Rio Grande do Norte State. Initially, infested melon leaves with L. trifolii larvae were collected in field to obtain the parasitoids. From the first parasitoids obtained from field, a technique to multiply them in L. trifolii on melon plants was developed. In the observations of the parasitism aspects of Opius sp., was perceived that it prefer to oviposite in 2nd and 3rd instar larvae. In addition, was observed that females present the highest levels of parasitism in the first two days of life / A mosca-minadora Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae), é atualmente a principal praga do meloeiro Cucumis melo L., na região da Chapada do Apodi, nordeste brasileiro. Devido às altas infestações deste inseto, o controle baseado exclusivamente no uso de inseticidas não tem sido plenamente satisfatório. Por outro lado, índices consideráveis de parasitismo, ocasionados pelo parasitóide Opius sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), têm sido constatado em campo, principalmente no início da safra. Em função deste fato, estudos básicos com este parasitóide estão sendo realizados no Laboratório de Entomologia da UFERSA, Mossoró, RN. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho objetivou descrever uma técnica para criação de Opius sp., em condições de laboratório, e estudar aspectos de seu parasitismo, visando sua utilização em futuros programas de manejo integrado da mosca-minadora do meloeiro, nas condições do semi-árido do Rio Grande do Norte. Inicialmente, folhas de meloeiro infestadas com larvas da mosca-minadora foram coletadas em campo para obtenção dos parasitóides. A partir dos primeiros parasitóides obtidos foi adaptada uma técnica para multiplicação destes sobre L. trifolii em plantas de meloeiro. Nas observações sobre os aspectos do parasitismo do Opius sp., constatou-se que estes preferem ovipositar em larvas de 2º e 3º ínstar. Além disso, foi observado que as fêmeas do Opius sp. apresentam maiores índices de parasitismo nos primeiros dois dias de vida

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-05-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:44:47Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 ferreirafilho_pj_dr_botfca.pdf: 1155400 bytes, checksum: 8e9b3a892a4bc9b6e2a50c148430127a (MD5) / O gênero Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) é originário da Austrália e hospeda várias espécies de insetos da família Psyllidae. Dentre elas, o psilídeo-de-concha Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), que é considerada uma das principais pragas introduzidas desta cultura no Brasil e em outros países. O parasitóide Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) é indicado como principal agente no controle biológico desta praga. Devido a sua importância econômica, esse trabalho objetivou estudar as populações de G. brimblecombei e de P. bliteus em floresta de Eucalyptus camaldulensis para determinação de sua distribuição espacial, flutuação populacional, a relação com fatores meteorológicos (temperatura e precipitação), e determinar o índice de parasitismo pós liberação de P. bliteus em campo. O estudo da dinâmica populacional do psilídeo-de-concha e do seu parasitóide foi realizado através da utilização de 53 armadilhas amarelas e da coleta de 53 ramos/avaliação em um talhão de 19 ha com E. camaldulensis em Luiz Antônio, SP, com 42 avaliações, entre janeiro de 2006 a janeiro de 2008. Concluiu-se que as populações de ambas espécies apresentaram distribuição espacial agregada, possuem correlação inversamente proporcional à temperatura, e a precipitação pluviométrica; ocorreu aumento no índice de parasitismo em todos os pontos de liberação de P. bliteus. no período avaliado / The genus Eucalyptus is originally from Australia and hosts several species of insects of the family Psylidae. Among them, the red gum lerp psyllid is considered one of the main pests of this crop introduced in Brazil and other countries. However, for the control of phytophagous hemiptera, the treatment with insecticides proved to be expensive and unsustainable. The psylllid specific parasitic wasp Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is indicated as the main biological control agent of this pest. Due to its economic importance, this study aimed to evaluate G. brimblecombei and P. bliteus population in Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantations to determine their spatial distribution, population fluctuation with weather interactions (temperature and rainfall), and also to determine parasitism rates in the field after release of P. bliteus. The study of population dynamic of red gum lerp psyllid and its parasitoid (53 traps sampled and 53 branches sampled per sampling dates) was carried out on E. camaldulensis plantations in 19 ha area in Luiz Antônio municipality (SP, Brazil), from January 2006 to January 2008 (42 sampling dates). This research indicated that population of both species noticed especial aggregated distribution, inversely proportional subject to temperature. Besides, was found correlation between both species and rainfall. There was also at measured period an increase in the parasitism rate at all release points of P. bliteus