Predation behavior of Chrysopidae on Leucoptera coffeella Guérin-Mèneville e Perrottet, 1842) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)

• Grant number: 20/01861-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): January 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Principal Investigator: Alessandra Marieli Vacari
• Grantee: Bruno Gomes Dami
• 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 green lacewings species associated with coffee (Coffea arabica L.) crops in the Franca region - SP and to verify which species are potential. biological control agents of coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae). Bioassays will be performed to evaluate the predation behavior of three species of green lacewings with higher occurrence in the study areas. To conduct the bioassays, the predators collected in coffee trees in the Franca region will be taken to the laboratory, where they will be screened, used to start breeding, and later, some individuals referred to specialist (taxonomist) for proper identification. In laboratory, experiments will be performed to determine the predation behavior of each species of green lacewings on different densities of larvae and pupae of L. coffeella (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 prey). The functional response will be determined by logistic regression of the number of larvae and pupae consumed as a function of the initial prey number using polynomial logistic regression. The random equation will be used to describe the parameters of the functional response. The results that will be obtained will allow us to define the best species for use in the biological control of the L. coffeella coffee leaf miner and are promising that green lacewings species can be effective when used in the future in the field.