The use of cover crops is an important strategy to reduce erosion and improve chemical and physical soil properties. In this work, we evaluate the effect of cover crops to reduce Brazilian ground pearl Eurhizococcus brasiliensis (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) infestation in vineyards. In the first experiment, glyphosate was sprayed each three months to avoid cover crops. This treatment was compared with naturally occurring vegetation during the year and the use of Avena sativa in the winter. In a second experiment, Stizolobium aterrimum was cultivated during the summer compared with naturally occurring vegetation. Brazilian ground pearl population was higher in glyphosate sprayed areas than where cover crops were maintained during the year. No differences in inssect infestation were observed between naturally occurring vegetation and A. sativa during the winter. Scale infestation where S. aterrimum was cultivated during the summer was similar to naturally occurring vegetation. S. aterrimum is registered for the first time as a host of E. brasiliensis.
Eurhizococcus brasiliensis; Stizolobium aterrimum; gliphosate
