Seleção de Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bacillaceae) e populações de Trichogramma spp. (Westwood) (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae) para o controle de Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lep.: Noctuidae)

Abstract

The combined use of the entomopathogenic Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner with other arthropod natural enemies is an approach to improve the management of insect pests. Among the natural enemies, the egg parasitoid Trichogramma (Westwood) is recognized by its efficacy against various pest species in different agroecosystems, and can be used combined with B. thuringiensis. However, although B. thuringiensis exhibit several advantages, studies are required to ascertain about its selectivity for beneficial insects. The selection of isolates of B. thuringiensis is a way to assess the virulence to target insect pests, and the discovery of new toxins with higher entomopathogenic activity. Populations of Trichogramma should also be selected to avoid failure of its use, since this parasitoid has large variation regarding host preference and environmental conditions. Thus, this study selected isolates of B. thuringiensis (Bt) and populations of Trichogramma spp. to control of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The selection methodology identified the Bt isolates Bt 23 and Bt 26 as promissory to control of H.zea. Among populations of Trichogramma evaluated there was variability in relation to the parameters analyzed and the thermal conditions, and the population of T. atopovirilia (Tatp1) exhibited the best performance at 25°C, and the populations Tp13 and Tp16 of T. pretiosum in thethermal conditions of 18 and 30ºC respectively. Based on these results, the populations Tatp1 of T. atopovirilia and Tp13 and Tp16 of T. pretiosum have potential as biological control agent against H. zea as well as the isolates Bt 23 and Bt 26 of B. thuringiensis.