Associação da joaninha Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) com inseticidas visando ao controle de pragas das brássicas

Abstract

The diamondback moth and aphids are key pest species of brassicas’ crops, which frequently requires insecticide applications to their control. The use of selective insecticides, complemented with insecticide-resistant natural enemies, offers the opportunity to integrate insecticides and natural enemies in pest control. Thus, the performance of the predatory lady beetle, Eriopis connexa (Germs) (Coleopotera: Coccinellidae), was evaluated through its exposure to insecticides recommended against the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), and the turnip aphid, Lipaphis pseudobrassicae (Davis) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Concentration-mortality curves were determined for three insecticides registered for brassicas and differential selectivity indices were calculated for diamondback moth larvae and adults of the lady beetle. After to know the selectivity of the insecticides tested, was evaluated the control of aphids and moths in plants confined in cages, in the field, with spraying and release of the lady beetle. The results show that the insecticides Bacillus thuringiensis, cyantraniliprole, chlorantraniliprole, deltamethrin, chlorfenapyr, spinosad, azadirachtin and spiromesifen are compatible with larvae and adults of E. connexa. The exposure of lady beetle larvae and adults exposed in sequence to two and five applications of the insecticides deltamethrin, pymetrozine, spinosad, cyantraniliprole, methomyl, chlorfenapyr, chlorantraniliprole or spiromisefen, did not affect their performance allowing compatible applications. The recommended insecticides for diamondback moth or aphid control did not affect significantly the consumption of these pests. The results of field did not characterize an additive effect of the release of E. connexa to insecticide applications in the control of diamondback moth and aphids. The number of lady beetle to be released and the release timing need to be determined for a better application of both, lady beetle release and insecticide application methods.