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Heraclides anchisiades capys (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), Citioica anthonilis (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), and Methona themisto (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) are tree and shrub pests commonly found in urban areas. The parasitism capacity of Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) was evaluated on pupae of these lepidopteran pests as well as on 2 commonly used alternative hosts, Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The number of parasitoids produced per mg of host pupal biomass was significantly greater on H. anchisiades capys and T. molitor compared with the other 3 lepidopteran species. The mean number of parasitoids emerging per host pupa was also significantly more on H. anchisiades capys compared with C. anthonilis, M. themisto, A. gemmatalis, or T. molitor. All host species tested in this study show the potential to be used in mass rearing P. elaeisis in the laboratory. However, the lower parasitism and emergence of P. elaeisis on H. anchisiades capys pupae suggests that this lepidopteran pest may not be a suitable host for this parasitoid in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of Hylesia nanus Walker (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), a defoliator of Eucalyptus species (Myrtales: Myrtaceae), was evaluated on the northern coast of Bahia State, Brazil, by performing 3 connected experiments: (1) monitoring of H. nanus moths by using light traps; (2) biological control of H. nanus pupae by releasing the endoparasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae); and (3) chemical control of H. nanus larvae with 1 spraying of bifenthrin + etilenoxi. The light traps effectively assisted the monitoring and control of H. nanus moths, with a mean population peak (± SE) of 801 ± 438 individuals collected per trap in a 23 d nocturnal period. Palmistichus elaeisis was recovered from the H. nanus pupae 96 h post release, with a parasitism rate of 23 ± 3%, indicating an ability to parasitize and contribute to insect suppression. Release of this parasitoid can be integrated with monitoring using light traps. Chemical control was highly effective against the last instar H. nanus larvae, with only 11 ± 3 larval survivors per tree trunk 24 h post spraying. Thus, the monitoring of moths by using light traps, control of pupae by releasing P. elaeisis, and chemical control of last instar larvae are methods that could be integrated into a management plan for H. nanus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective agrochemicals including herbicides that do not affect non-target organisms such as natural enemies are important in the integrated pest management (IPM) programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the herbicide toxicity, selectivity and hormesis of nicosulfuron, recommended for the cornZea maysL. (Poaceae) crop, on 10 Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera) species. A female of eachTrichogrammaspp. orTrichogrammatoidea annulataDe Santis, 1972 was individually placed in plastic test tubes (no choice) with a cardboard containing 45 flour mothAnagasta ( = Ephestia) kuehniellaZeller, 1879 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs. Parasitism by these natural enemies was allowed for 48 h and the cardboards were sprayed with the herbicide nicosulfuron at 1.50 L.ha−1, along with the control (only distilled water). Nicosulfuron reduced the emergence rate ofTrichogramma bruniNagaraja, 1983 females, but increased that ofTrichogramma pretiosumRiley, 1879,Trichogramma acacioiBrun, Moraes and Smith, 1984 andT. annulatafemales. Conversely, this herbicide increased the emergence rate ofTrichogramma brasiliensisAshmead, 1904,T. bruni, Trichogramma galloiZucchi, 1988 andTrichogramma soaresiNagaraja, 1983 males and decreased those ofT. acacioi, Trichogramma atopoviliaOatman and Platner, 1983 andT. pretiosummales. In addition, nicosulfuron reduced the sex ratio ofT. galloi, Trichogramma bennettiNagaraja and Nagarkatti, 1973 andT. pretiosumand increased that ofT. acacioi, T. bruni, T. annulata, Trichogramma demoraesiNagaraja, 1983,T. soaresiandT. brasiliensis. The herbicide nicosulfuron was “harmless” (class 1, <30% reduction) for females and the sex ratio of all Trichogrammatidae species based on the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) classification. The possible hormesis effect of nicosulfuron on Trichogrammatidae species and on the bacteriumWolbachiasp. (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) was also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]