Doru luteipes (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) na cultura do milho: agente de controle biológico com dupla função

Abstract

Doru luteipes (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) is traditionally considered a generalist and omnivore predator associated with crop (Zea mays). Being present in the area when there are eggs and small larvae of Lepidoptera or aphids is considered a versatile agent in regulating the population of key crop pests. Its presence in maize areas has also been associated with a reduction in the incidence of the polissora rust fungus (Puccinia polysora) in maize. As the same plant may be infested with both pest insects and P. polysorauredospores, the foraging behavior of this predator may be altered with implications for successful biological control. In view of the above, the objective of this study was to determine the feeding preference of D. luteipes among these resources available in the corn plant (P. polysorauredospores, Spodoptera frugiperda eggs, corn pollen) and to evaluate the survival of D. luteipesnymphs. fed with these food resources. It was also evaluated whether uredospores excreted by D. luteipes after passage through the digestive system are able to germinate and infect healthy maize plants. It was found that D. luteipes prefers to feed corn pollen at night and that the mixed diet consisting of S. frugiperda eggs and P. polysorauredospores allowed longer survival and cycle duration similar to that obtained in artificial diet. However, the uredospores were not completely unfeasible after the digestive process proving that although the consumption of uredospores by D. luteipes occurs there is a possibility of fungal structure dispersion, even in small proportions between infected and healthy plants.