Biodiversity of Natural Enemies of Pseudococcidae in the Semiarid Region of Brazil

Abstract

Pseudococcidae species, also known as mealybugs, comprises a complex of pests in various cultivated and non-cultivated plant species, among which fruit plants are most affected by both direct and indirect damage. The incidence of these pest species has been constant in productive environments, causing significant losses due to sap suction, virus transmission, and damage to fruit quality. Thus, this study aimed to know and investigate the population dynamics of natural enemies of Pseudococcidae in different fruit plants cultivated in the semiarid region of Brazil. For this, mealybugs associated with roots, stems, leaves, and fruits of vine, pear, apple, persimmon, guava, and acerola trees were collected biweekly in 14 properties in the São Francisco Valley region, from July 2016 to June 2017. These mealybugs were properly separated for the removal of their predators and the emergence of parasitoids associated with them (Pseudococcidae). Coccophagus sp., Aenasius sp., Anagyrus kamali, Anagyrus sp. 1, Anagyrus sp. 2, Anagyrus sp. 3, Anagyrus sp. 4, Coccidoxenoides perminutus, Gyranusoidea indica, Leptomastix dactylopii, Prochiloneurus sp., Aprostocetus sp., and Signiphora sp. were identified as parasitoids and Diadiplosis multifila, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Tenuisvalvae notata, Cycloneda sanguinea, and Hippodamia convergens were identified as predators, in addition to unidentified species of Coccinellidae and Chrysopidae.

Potential displacement of the native Tenuisvalvae notata by the invasive Cryptolaemus montrouzieri in South America suggested by differences in climate suitability

“…Both species studied here show preference and high predatory capacity upon mealybugs, either as larvae or as adults (Babu and Azam, 1987; Wu et al ., 2014; Barbosa et al ., 2014 a , 2014 b ; Marques et al ., 2015). In fact, C. montrouzieri and T. notata overlap in their food niches resulting in competition and intraguild predation, due to similarity in food diet, habitat, and the thermal requirement to development of both species (Ferreira et al ., 2020; Oliveira, 2020; Sá et al ., 2020).…”

“…Also, it has been released in more than 40 countries in temperate and tropical regions (Maes et al ., 2015). In Brazil, C. montrouzieri was introduced to control citrus mealybugs Planococcus citri (Risso) (Sanches and Carvalho, 2010; Kairo et al ., 2013), and occurs in various regions of Brazil, including the Southeast and Northeast regions, in the states of São Paulo, Bahia, and Pernambuco (Sanches and Carvalho, 2010; De Bortoli et al ., 2014; Marques et al ., 2015; Lopes, 2016; Sá et al ., 2020).…”

“…Little attention has been given to the potential for C. montrouzieri to displace indigenous predatory species in Brazil. This exotic species shows overlap in food niche with Brazilian native ladybirds that prey upon mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) (Marques et al ., 2015; Pacheco da Silva et al ., 2019; Sá et al ., 2020). For instance, C. montrouzieri has been reported in the semiarid region of the state of Pernambuco, such as Petrolina, where there is the occurrence of native species such as Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant) ( = Hyperaspis notata Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and share mealybug preys such as Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, Ferrisia dasylirii Cockerell, Ferrisia virgata Cockerell, and Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Wu et al ., 2014; Barbosa et al ., 2014 a ; Marques et al ., 2015; Lopes, 2016).…”