Bioecology of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) and Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) on citrus in the Northeast region of the State of São Paulo

• Grant number: 14/18085-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2015
• End date: September 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Terezinha Monteiro dos Santos Cividanes
• Grantee: Terezinha Monteiro dos Santos Cividanes
• Host Institution: APTA Regional. Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Eduardo Suguino ; Fernando André Salles ; Francisco Jorge Cividanes ; José Adriano Giorgi ; José Roberto Scarpellini

Abstract

The psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is an insect pest that causes damage to citrus mainly for the transmission of the bacteria that causes the disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB), "yellow dragon disease". To the current date, there is nowhere in the world where HLB is on adequate control. The psyllid D. citri is subject to natural biological control effected by the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Waterston); by several species of coccinellids, syrphid, lacewings, hemerobids and entomopathogens. In Brazil, the biological method has been researched, with particular emphasis on the parasitoid T. radiata. The control of the psyllid D. citri effected by T. radiata can be complemented by action of other natural enemies such as predatory insects of Coccinellidae. These predators are important sources of natural mortality of D. citri in citrus orchards in several countries. In Brazil, there are few studies associating the role of coccinellids in relation to the psyllid. In the present study the population dynamics of D. citri and its natural enemies will be studied, including the coccinellid predators in citrus orchard. The sampling will be carried out during December 2014 to November 2016 in the municipality of Taquaritinga and Jaboticabal, SP. In a second stage, we will determine the main biological aspects of coccinellid species collected during sampling, using as prey the psyllid D. citri. (AU)