The effect of glandular trichomes of wild potato plant Solanum berthaultii, on larval development, survival and prey capacity of Scymnus (Pullus) argentinicus (Weise) on the aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) was studied. The larval development of the predator was interrupted due the high mortality (89%) on the 1st instar, probably due to the action of glandular trichomes of S. berthaultii. It was observed also mortality of 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars when S. argentinicus was liberated on S. berthaultii. The 4th instar and the adult stage of the predator were not affected by the glandular trichomes. It was not observed mortality of S. argentinicus on S. tuberosum and the prey capacity of S. (Pullus) argentinicus was significantly higher on S. tuberosum when compared to S. berthaultii, in all instars and adult. The mortality of M. persicae was higher in S. tuberosum (by predation) when compared to S. berthaultii (by the combined action of predator and glandular trichomes).
Insecta; plant resistant; biological control; interaction
