Seletividade de fungos entomopatogênicos sobre o predador marava arachidis (Yersin, 1860) (Dermaptera:Labiidae)

Abstract

The Dermaptera order is made up of popularly known predator insects as earwigs, a name given due to the pair of cercis located at the end of its abdomen. Among these insects, the species Marava arachidis (Yersin, 1860) (Dermaptera: Labiidae) stands out for having generalist behavior, diverse food habit and high voracity over the early stages of the life cycle of different agricultural pests, proving to be a predator of great potential to be used in biological control programs. Thus, ensuring the conservation of this predator in agroecosystems is important, and for this, it is necessary to develop studies on the selective capacity of control agents on these beneficial insects. Pesticides, which are still the most commonly used control agents, have been causing a number of problems, including the elimination of populations of these insects in the environment. In this context, entomopathogenic fungi emerge as a good option, being a group of natural enemies used in the biological control of pests, which in addition to reducing populations below the level of economic damage, also have a possible selective capacity on beneficial insects. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the selectivity of entomopathogenic fungi Metharhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff, 1879) Sorokin, 1883 and Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuilllemin, 1912 on predator M. arachidis. To see if the fungi were pathogenic to M. arachidis, nymphs and adults were immersed at a concentration of 5 g of viable conidia diluted in 50 ml of distilled water. The averages were compared by the Tukey test (p < 0.05). The results showed that entomopathogenic fungi M. anisopliae and B. bassiana are selective to M. arachidis nymphs and adults, with the potential to be used in Integrated Pest Management (MIP) programs. In addition, entomopathogenic fungi M. anisopliae and B. bassiana do not affect the reproductive cycle of M. arachidis.