Evaluation of Trichospilus diatraeae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) as parasitoid of the eucalyptus defoliator Euselasia eucerus (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae)

Lepidopteran pests have occurred in eucalyptus plantations in Brazil since 1948, reaching high population levels, reducing tree growth and causing considerable losses in wood production. The control of defoliating caterpillars in eucalyptus forests is complex, mainly due to the large extent of fores...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of tropical insect science 2011-06, Vol.31 (1-2), p.118-121
Main Authors: Zaché, Bruno, da Costa Zaché, Ronelza Rodrigues, Soliman, Everton Pires, Wilcken, Carlos Frederico
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological control
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Entomology
Eucalyptus
Eulophidae
Hymenoptera
Insecticides
Lepidoptera
Life Sciences
Plantations
Population levels
Riodinidae
Short Communication
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Lepidopteran pests have occurred in eucalyptus plantations in Brazil since 1948, reaching high population levels, reducing tree growth and causing considerable losses in wood production. The control of defoliating caterpillars in eucalyptus forests is complex, mainly due to the large extent of forest plantations and tree height, necessitating the aerial application of chemical or biological insecticides. Due to this complexity, alternative control methods have been proposed, for instance biological control through the use of parasitoids. Trichospilus diatraeae Cherian & Margabandhu, 1942 is a gregarious pupal parasitoid that preferentially attacks species of the order Lepidoptera. This is the first report of T. diatraeae parasitizing pupae of the eucalyptus defoliator Euselasia eucerus Hewitson in Brazil. This parasitoid offers new perspectives for the biological control programmes of this species in eucalyptus plantations in Brazil.
ISSN:1742-7584
1742-7592
DOI:10.1017/S1742758411000117