Comportamento de acasalamento, níveis de infestação e parasitismo de Triozoida limbata Enderlein, 1918 (Hemiptera: Triozidae) em Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae)

Abstract

Triozoida limbata (Enderlein) is considered the key pest of guava tree Psidium guajava (L.) for causing twisting and curling of leaves leaving the appearance of necrosis. This study aimed to investigate the mating behavior of T. limbata in laboratory. For this reason, terminal branches of guava trees with nymphs of T. limbata were collected in a guava orchard Pedro Sato, in Ivinhema-MS (Brazil), these were brought to the laboratory, packed in transparent acrylic cups (300 ml) juxtaposed, until the insects reach the adult stage. Preliminary observations were made during the twentyfour hours in some days to obtain information on which time occurs the mating of T. limbata in the laboratory. Thus, it was determined that the period of copulation begins at 2 pm, and ceases at 6:30 p.m. The peak of copulation occurred from 3 pm to 3:59 pm. It was noted that the male is approaching the female, positioned his body parallel to its, doubles its abdomen and holds the genital capsule of female joining their extremities. The copulation ending often when a female begins to perform movements with the legs and antennae and remove itself. This knowledge can be used in research for the development of strategies that can be used in behavioral control of the species in orchards of P. guajava, for example the use of sexual pheromones.