Performance de Chrysodeixis includens em diferentes cultivares de manjericão

Abstract

Physical, chemical and morphological characteristics of preferred or alternative host plants can impact the population dynamics of polyphagous insects. Such characteristics can vary even between individuals of the same species, which have different morphotypes or chemotypes, thus influencing their attraction (pull) or repellency (push) to insects, which can contribute to pest management strategies (eg. push-pull). Chrysodeixis includens has become an important pest in economically important crops such as sunflower, cotton, soybean and beans. In these studies, we evaluated the effects of five basil (Ocimum basilicum) cultivars on the performance and biological and reproductive parameters of C. includens. In the first chapter, was analyzed the effect of basil cultivars (Maria Bonita, Mr. Burns, Italian Large Leaf, Vermelho Rubi and Cinnamon) on the development, reproduction and demographic parameters of C. includens. In general, all host plants extended the duration of the larval stage, except for the Italian Large Leaf, which did not differ from the preferred host (beans). In addition, the other host plants negatively affected the reproductive and demographic parameters of C. includens. In the second chapter, we analyze how the different cultivars of O. basicum (basil) can influence the selection and performance of the soybean looper. In general, the performance of C. includens on basil cultivars showed differences in relation to its preferred host (beans). The larvae showed a lower olfactory preference for the cultivar Maria Bonita. On the other hand, the larvae had a greater preference for the odors of the Italian Large Leaf cultivar, which was more attractive to females than the common bean. The cultivars Mr. Burns, Vermelho Rubi and Cinnamon were equally attractive to females of C. includens in relation to beans, but with a drastic reduction in the performance of this pest. Our results showed that the host plants studied present variation under the attractiveness and performance of C. includens. The present study contributes with useful information for the potential use of basil cultivars as an alternative to be used for the management of this pest, either through the selection of new molecules or the use of these cultivars in push-pull systems.