Compatibility of biological agents to control Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is the main insect pest of corn in the Americas. The objective was to evaluate the performance of Trichogramma atopovirilia (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) with influence of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt) (Bacillaceae) (Dipel™ PM) to control of S. frugiperda. S. frugiperda eggs were immersed in solution of Bt and submitted to parasitism for 24 hours. The experiment was kept in acclimatized chamber at temperature of 25 ± 1ºC, relative humidity of 70 ± 10% and photophase of 14 hours. The parasitism, emergence, number of individuals per egg, sex ratio of offspring and longevity of females that parasitized were used as indicators of compatibility between the biological control agents. There was no difference in any biological characteristics of T. atopovirilia induced by Bt. The commercially B. thuringiensis formulated as Dipel™ PM applied on S. frugiperda eggs not affect T. atpovirilia.