20 Kas 2024 Çarşamba
Population dynamics of Encarsia porteri (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), egg parasitoid of soybean pests (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Northern Argentina
Abstract :Soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill (Fabaceae), is an strategic crop in Argentina. The phytophagous insects affect its productivity, and Lepidoptera Noctuidae larvae are very important pests of the crop. In Northern Argentina, the species are Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner) (Erebidae: Eulepidotinae), Rachiplusia nu (Guenée) and Chrysodeixis includens Walker (Noctuidae: Plusiinae). Egg parasitoids are relevant antagonist of soybean Lepidoptera pests, and Encarsia porteri (Mercet) (Aphelinidae), is widely used in biological control in many parts of the world. The aim of this contribution is to characterize the population dynamics of E. porteri attacking lepidopterous pests in northern Argentina, and to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of this native egg parasitoid in regulating their populations.Samples were taken weekly from a commercial soybean crop in both agricultural seasons, 600 leaflets were reviewed at each sampling date; Pest eggs were identified and isolated until the parasitoids emerged. There has been a significant difference between the two monitored seasons: E. porteri parasitoidism was low in the 2006 season, while in 2007 it was considerably higher. It is important to emphasize that for an adequate control of the pests it is necessary to know the action of its natural enemies
Glycine max, defoliating species, incidence, control, natural enemies