Susceptibilidade de Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) aos óleos essenciais de Lippia origanoides HUNTH. (Verbenaceae) e Cymbopogon citratus (DC) STAPF. (Poaceae)

Abstract

Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is a generalist pupae parasitoid with potential to be used for Lepidoptera pest control and its integrated use with botanical insecticides may be viable to improve this control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of P. elaeisis to essential oils the pepper-rosemary Lippia origanoides Hunth. (Verbenaceae) and of lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. (Poaceae). The experiment was carried out in a randomized design (DIC), factorial scheme 2 (oils) x 4 (applied: 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0%) with two controls (detergent and deltamethrin). Parasitism (%) was evaluated - only in F1- generation; emergence (%); progeny; sex ratio; longevity (only of parental generation) of males and females; and egg-adult period of parental and F1. There were no significant differences in the biological parameters between the essential oils and their respective concentrations, thus indicating that the oils were innocuous (according to IOBC classification) to the P. elaeisis parasitoid, a result ratified since the emergence percentage was always above 85% at all concentrations, and does not affect the percentage of parasitism of the next generation (F1). It is concluded, therefore, that in the tested dosages, the essential oils of pepper-rosemary and lemongrass are selective to P. elaeisis.