Abstract

NAJERA-MIRAMONTES, Daniela et al. Predation by Podisus maculiventris (Say) on Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris) larvae. Acta Zool. Mex [online]. 2016, vol.32, n.2, pp.147-152. ISSN 2448-8445.

Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris) is an emerging pest of apple Malus domestica Borkh., in Mexico. Its control depends mainly on the use of chemical insecticides; however, there are reports of natural enemies of this pest that exert a considerable control. The main objective of study was to evaluate the predatory capacity by Podisus maculiventris (Say) on C. rosaceana larvae. Twelve hundred larvae of C. rosaceana were collected in apple orchards. Moreover, 87 specimens of P. maculiventris Say of different nymphal instars were collected, of which 75 specimens were collected in apple orchards and 17 in corn crops, and 22 egg groups (17 in corn crops and five in apple trees). Podisus maculiventris consumption bioassays were performed over C. rosaceana larvae, where average was 0.72 larvae consumed per day, first nymphal instar showed a higher average (1.9 larvae per day) in first 24 h, and second nymphal instar showed a higher average after 7 d (1.2 larvae consumed per day).

Keywords : Biological control; spined soldier bug; predator; entomophagous; obliquebanded leafroller.