Selection of natural enemies for biological control of Calacarus heveae Feres (Acari: Eriophyidae) and Tenuipalpus heveae Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) in rubber tree

• Grant number: 18/10407-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2018
• End date: November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Carlos Lofego
• Grantee: Felipe Santa Rosa Do Amaral
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is a plant native of Brazil and considered as the largest source of natural rubber in the world. When monoculture is the method used for its cultivation, it can suffer damages caused by pests. Two species of phytophagous mites of great concern to the rubber tree producers are Calacarus heveae and Tenuipalpus heveae, since infestations of these species can anticipate the natural fall of leaves and, consequently, decrease latex production. Besides phytophagous, rubber trees may be hosts of other mites: predatory species belonging to the family Phytoseiidae. Although the occurrence of several phytoseiid species in rubber trees is known, little is known about the biology of these mites. Thus, considering the gaps in the biological knowledge of phytoseiid species that occur in H. brasiliensis and the damage that C. heveae and T. heveae cause to rubber tree crop, the present proposal aims to find native phytoseiids that can act as agents of biological control for these pests. In addition, this work aims to develop efficient mass rearing and artificial selection methods for field release to be viable. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

AMARAL, Felipe Santa Rosa Do. Potential of phytoseiids (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as biological control agents for three species of phytophagous mites on rubber trees. 2022. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas. São José do Rio Preto São José do Rio Preto.