Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Attack of parasitoids himenoptera on Megastes spp. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in sweet potato agroecossystem

The presence and action of Hymenoptera parasitoids in agroecossystems of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) in Pedra de Fogo county - PB, Brazil, on Megastes spp. complex were studied, with the objective of identifying parasitoids species and to describe the main aspects on parasitism action on Megastes grandalis Guenee and Megastes pusialis Snellen. On direct evaluation 14% of plants had females of ectopasitoids belonging to the braconidae family. The indirect evaluation showed the occurrence of 22% of worms attacked by parasitoids. The emergence of parasitoids adults of seven species belonging to the braconidae, Chalcididae and Ichneumonidae families has been observed. It was concluded that the presence of parasitoids in sweet potato agroecossystem is diversified and important to suppress the insect pest.

Insecta; biological control; Bracon


Universidade Federal de Santa Maria Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Centro de Ciências Rurais , 97105-900 Santa Maria RS Brazil , Tel.: +55 55 3220-8698 , Fax: +55 55 3220-8695 - Santa Maria - RS - Brazil
E-mail: cienciarural@mail.ufsm.br