Flight, feeding and reproductive behavior of Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) adults

Abstract

-Phyllophaga cuyabana is a univoltine species and its development occurs completely underground. Its control by conventional methods, such as chemical and biological insecticides, is difficult, so it is important to understand its dispersion, reproduction, and population behavior in order to determine best pest management strategies. The objective of this work was to study the behavior of adults of P. cuyabana. This study was carried out in the laboratory, greenhouse and field sites in Paraná State, Brazil (24 o 25' S and 52 o 48' W), during four seasons. The results obtained demonstrate that: a) P. cuyabana adults have a synchronized short-flight period when mating and reproduction occurs; b) adults tend to aggregate in specific sites for mating; c) the majority of adults left the soil on alternate nights; d) the choice of mating and oviposition sites was made by females before copulation, since after copulation adults did not fly from or bury themselves at nearby locations; e) females that fed on leaves after mating, oviposited more eggs than females that had not fed; f) plant species such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and the Crotalaria juncea are important food sources for adults.Index terms: Glycine max, white grub, host plants, oviposition, pests of plants. Comportamento de vôo, de alimentação e de reprodução de adultos de Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae)Resumo -Phyllophaga cuyabana é uma espécie univoltina cujo desenvolvimento ocorre no solo. Seu controle por inseticidas químicos e biológicos é difícil, assim é importante entender sua dispersão, reprodução e comportamento populacional a fim de identificar estratégias potenciais de manejo dessa praga. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o comportamento de adultos de P. cuyabana. O estudo foi realizado em laboratório, casa de vegetação e campo, no Estado do Paraná, Brasil (24 o 25' S e 52 o 48' O), durante quatro safras. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que: a) os adultos de P. cuyabana têm um vôo sincronizado durante um curto período quando ocorre o acasalamento e reprodução; b) os adultos tendem a se agregar em sítios específicos para o acasalamento; c) a maioria dos adultos deixa o solo em noites alternadas; d) a escolha do sítio de acasalamento e oviposição é feita pelas fêmeas antes da cópula; após a cópula os adultos não voam e se enterram em locais próximos; e) as fêmeas que ingerem folhas após o acasalamento ovipositam mais que as fêmeas que não se alimentam; f) espécies vegetais como girassol (Helianthus annuus) e Crotalaria juncea são importantes fontes de alimento para os adultos.Termos para indexação: Glycine max, coró, planta hospedeira, postura, praga das plantas.

Soil organisms associated to the weed suppressant Crotalaria juncea (fabaceae) and its importance as a refuge for natural enemies

“…was found in both the larval and adult stages (Table 1). The higher number of species of the order Coleoptera in the soil of C. juncea confirms that these are the most abundant species in soil with green manure Cajanus cajan (Fabaceae), C. juncea, S. cinereum, and Stylosanthes guianensis (Fabaceae) (Oliveira & Garcia, 2003;Oliveira et al, 2007;Santos et al, 2008 clavipes, and O. insidiosus were the most common natural enemies found in C. juncea, while the most common pests were Diabrotica sp., M. incognita, Phyllophaga sp., and Procornitermes sp. The organisms found over a 3-month period in 144 trenches in C. juncea were pest species (84.47%) and natural enemies (15.53%).…”

“…Weeds can be damaged by defoliators associated with C. juncea, which affects organic agriculture where the use of synthetic pesticides is forbidden (Gill et al, 2010). Moreover, defoliators of Phyllophaga cuyabana (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) would rather feed on C. juncea than on crops (Oliveira & Garcia, 2003;Oliveira et al, 2007). Crotalaria juncea plants increased moisture and reduced soil temperatures after the incorporation of this green manure and decaying vegetal material released allelochemical substances, attracting soil pests and repelling air natural enemies (Venette et al, 1997;McSorley et al, 2006).…”

Aggregation behavior of Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae): relationships between sites chosen for mating and offspring distribution

“…and occurs only once each night, males and females remain static on the plant for up to 30 min. (Oliveira et al 1996, Oliveira & Garcia 2003.…”

Occurrence of adults and biological aspects of Geniates borelli Camerano (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae) in Aquidauana, MS, Brazil

“…With respect to the subfamily Melolonthinae in Brazil, there are known studies on the biological aspects of Phyllophaga triticophaga Morón & Salvadori, 1998), P. cuyabana (Moser, 1918) (Oliveira et al 1996Oliveira & Garcia 2003) …”

“…With respect to the subfamily Melolonthinae in Brazil, there are known studies on the biological aspects of Phyllophaga triticophaga Morón & Salvadori, 1998, P. cuyabana (Moser, 1918) (Oliveira et al 1996;Oliveira & Garcia 2003), P. aff. capillata (Blanchard) (Oliveira et al 2007), Liogenys fuscus Blanchard, 1850 (Rodrigues et al 2008b), and L. suturalis Blanchard, 1851 (Santos & Ávila 2009).…”