Impactos de acaricidas sobre a sobrevivência, predação, oviposição e eficiência de conversão alimentar do ácaro predador Amblyseius largoensis alimentado com Raoiella indica

Abstract

Amblyseius largoensis Muma is a predatory mite of the Phytoseiidae family that occurs naturally in plants infested with the exotic mite Raoiella indica Hirst. Amblyseius Largoensis has been identified as a potential predator to control this pest, but it is still not possible to commercially obtain this mite due to limitations involving its massive production in laboratory. Coconut producers have used products registered for other pest mites of coconut trees, aiming to control R. indica in order to reduce the damage caused by the infestation of these mites. However, it is still possible to explore the contribution of A. largoensis through control strategies focusing at its conservation in areas with the presence of R. indica. In the present work, a study was carried out to evaluate the effect of pesticides registered for the coconut crop (abamectin, azadirachtin, chlorfenapyr and fenpyroximate) on the survival, consumption, oviposition and feed conversion efficiency of A. largoensis with the objective of determining a possible compatibility between the tested products and the predatory mite. The results showed that the acaricides abamectin, fenpyroximate and chlorfenapyr reduced the survival of adult females of A. Largoensis females. Abamectin affected predation, oviposition and feed conversion efficiency of the predatory mite. Azadirachtin did not affect any of the assessed parameters. The results suggest a potential compatibility between the pesticides azadirachtin, fenpyroximate and chlorfenapyr and the predatory mite Amblyseius largoensis.