Behavioral aspects of Sphenophorus levis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), damage to sugarcane and its natural infection by Steinernema carpocapsae (Nematoda: Rhabditidae)

Autor(es)

Casteliani, Alexsandro ^[1] ; Martins, Lizandra de Fatima ^[1] ; Maringoli Cardoso, Jorge Franco ^[1] ; Oliveira Silva, Mateus Salviano ^[1] ; Abe da Silva, Raphael Satochi ^[1] ; Chacon-Orozco, Julie Giovanna ^[1] ; Barbosa Casteliani, Ana Gabriele ^[1] ; Puza, Vladimir ^[2] ; Harakava, Ricardo ^[1] ; Leite, Luis Garrigos ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] APTA, Biol Inst, CP 70, BR-13001970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Biol Ctr CAS, Inst Entomol, Branisovska 1160-31, Ceske Budejovice 37005 - Czech Republic

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: CROP PROTECTION; v. 137, NOV 2020.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

In Brazil, the sugarcane billbug Sphenophorus levis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) bores sugarcane rhizomes in its larval stage, causing high losses to the crop. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the genera Heterorhabditis and Steinernema (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) could be applied in the sugarcane fields to control the larvae and pupae of S. levis inside rhizomes. However, it is not clear whether this insect leaves an opening in the rhizome that would allow EPNs to enter and reach the insects in their immature stages. In addition, there is still no record of the natural occurrence of EPNs in the immature stages of S. levis or on the losses this insect can cause to sugarcane crops. This work aimed to investigate aspects of S. levis behavior on sugarcane plants and to determine the cane damage and crop loss percentage it causes through observations and regular evaluations of plants in the field; as well as to assess the natural occurrence of EPNs in the insect population found inside the cane rhizomes. For every 1% increase in its damage to the rhizomes, S. levis caused a 1% loss in the cane crop due to reductions of 0.318% in the weight of the stems and of 0.68% in the number of shoots generated by the rhizomes. The insect leaves openings that link the tunnels inside the root to the outside; these openings are made by adults during oviposition or by last-instar larva to allow the adults to exit. Almost 90% of the openings were made below the ground, allowing EPNs to enter the tunnels to reach the insect life stages inside the root. Steinernema carpocapsae was found to cause natural infection in S. levis inside the root, providing up to 60% pupal mortality. This information may help to establish the level of economic damage caused by S. levis and highlights EPNs as a potential alternative for S. levis control; their application just after cane harvesting is suggested in order to reduce the S. levis population in the next plant generation. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/11021-0 - Novas estratégias para exploração e uso de nematóides entomopatogênicos no controle de pragas de solo em cana-de-açúcar e outras culturas/ambientes
• Beneficiário: Julie Giovanna Chacon Orozco
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Pesquisa Inovativa em Pequenas Empresas - PIPE
• Processo FAPESP: 17/50334-3 - Plano de Desenvolvimento Institucional em Pesquisa (PDIp): modernização e adequação de unidades multiusuárias estratégicas do Instituto Biológico
• Beneficiário: Ana Eugênia de Carvalho Campos
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa Modernização de Institutos Estaduais de Pesquisa