CONTROLE BIOLÓGICO E A IMPORTÂNCIA DE ENTENDER AS INTERAÇÕES PREDADOR-PRESA: O CASO DE JOANINHAS COCCIDÓFAGAS NO CONTROLE DE PRAGAS
CONTROLE BIOLÓGICO E A IMPORTÂNCIA DE ENTENDER AS INTERAÇÕES PREDADOR-PRESA: O CASO DE JOANINHAS COCCIDÓFAGAS NO CONTROLE DE PRAGAS
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DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.1152310101
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Palavras-chave: Interação predador-presa, Pseudococcidae, camuflagem física, controle biológico.
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Keywords: Predator-prey interaction; Pseudococcidae, camouflage, biological control.
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Abstract: Augmentation biological control with insect predators is one method used in integrated pest management. The coccidophagous lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are important predators of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Among them, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant is one of the most used commercially. Large-scale production of predators is done in standard rearing conditions, putting some selection pressure, which can alter the performance of the predator to control the target pest after being reared for many generations in the laboratory. In addition, coccidophagous lady beetles larvae produce body wax similar to their mealybug prey, working as camouflage within prey colonies and improving predation. Thus, it is crucial to understand the factors that may affect predator-prey interactions and the efficacy of the lady beetles in biological control.
- Nataly De La Pava
- Christian Sherley Araujo da Silva Torres