Insetos predadores de pragas do cajueiro no Brasil

Abstract

The objective of this work was to study Insecta predator species of cashew pests (Anacardium occidentale L.). The survey was done through a literature review using important reference works, as well as related technical-scientific publications on cashew pests in Brazil. In the Insecta class, there were six orders, nine families and 26 records of predatory insects associated with cashew pests; the greatest diversity of predatory species belongs to the Coccinelidae family. However, families of the orders Neuroptera, Hemiptera, Diptera and Thysanoptera present predatory species that play an important role in maintaining the biological balance of the cashew agro-ecosystem; the cashew pests that present the highest number of predatory species under natural conditions are Aphis gossypii and the whitefly Aleurodicus cocois, considered to be pests of economic importance for the cashew trees. Several naturally occurring cashew tree predator species, such as chrysopedes, coccinellidae and pentatomideos (asopines), which due their characteristics such as aggressiveness and voracity, have also been widely studied in Brazil as a tool for Integrated Pest Management