Chrysopidae choice behavior by development stages of the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville and Perrottet, 1842) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)

• Grant number: 20/02182-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2020
• End date: January 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Alessandra Marieli Vacari
• Grantee: Jonas Mendes Rodrigues Souza
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria Adjunta de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade de Franca (UNIFRAN). Franca , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In order to assist future biological control programs that use Chrysopidae as a control agent, this research aims to study species of green lacewings associated with coffee (Coffea arabica L.) crops in the region of Franca - SP and verify the choice behavior of predators by developmental stages (larvae and pupae) of the coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae). Bioassays will be performed to evaluate the choice behavior of three species of green lacewings with higher occurrence in the study areas. To conduct the bioassays, the predators collected in coffee crops in the Franca region will be taken to the laboratory, where they will be screened, used to start rearing, and later, some individuals referred to specialist (taxonomist) for proper identification. In the laboratory, experiments will be conducted to study the choice behavior of each species of green lacewings on larvae and pupae of L. coffeella. Response of each predator species will be recorded by means of a glass Y-tube olfactometer. The results that will be obtained will allow us to define which species of Chrysopidae is most suitable for use in biological control of larvae and pupae of L. coffeella. These results are promising for green lacewings species to be more effective when used in the future in the field.