ABSTRACT
For natural enemies to be effectively used in pest control programs, it is important to understand the basic and applied ecology of an agroecosystem, such as guava orchards in semi-arid regions. We identified the parasitoids associated with the guava psyllid, Triozoida limbata (Enderlein 1918) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), as well as the rates of natural parasitism that occur in a semi-arid region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. About 130 terminal branches with four leaves fully open and with signs and/or presence of the psyllid were collected from a commercial guava orchard and brought to the laboratory. The material was stored under controlled conditions until the parasitoids emerged. The parasitoids were counted and fixed in 70% ethanol for species identification. In total, 9,897 individuals of T. limbata (adults and immature) and 603 parasitoids were found. The primary parasitoid, Psyllaephagus trioziphagus (Howard, 1885) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), was associated with the guava psyllid, with 4.88% parasitism. Secondary parasitoids Signiphora Ashmead, 1880 (Hymenoptera: Signiphoridae), Aprostocetus Westwood, 1833, and Tetrastichus Haliday, 1844 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) were also identified.
Keywords:
Biological control; Guava psyllid; Parasitoids;
Psyllaephagus trioziphagus