Species of Chrysopidae (Insecta: Neuroptera) Related to Citrus in Bella Vista (Corrientes, Argentina)

摘要

Citrus is an important crop in several provinces of Argentina. In Corrientes (approximately 22000 ha) , orange is the main cultivated species. Some key pests of citrus are as follow; the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, which feeds on all citrus species; the citrus red scale Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) and the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, potentially important vector of HLB or greening disease, now present in Brazil. Different control methods have been used to control these pests. However very little is known about the action of biological control agents to regulate their populations; moreover, some of them have not been studied in each production area. The Chrysopidae family constitutes one of the most important groups of predators on pests of citrus; in Argentina they have been relatively little studied. A survey was conducted in Bella Vista, Corrientes to know the chrysopids of citrus. Samples were collected during 2007 - 2008 spring and summer on different citrus varieties of oranges, tangerines, and lemons. Entomological nets and light traps were used to collect adults and samples of different developmental stages were registered and conditioned to rear until adult emergency. This study determined the presence of five species of Chrysopidae in citrus of Bella Vista, Corrientes: Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen, 1861), Ceraeochrysa rafaeli Adams and Penny 1982, Chrysopodes lineafrons Adams and Penny, 1987, Leucochrysa gemina Navas, 1929 and Chrysoperla asoralis (Banks, 1910). In the genus Ceraeochrysa, C. cubana, is a frequent resident in citrus crops, feeding on aphids and red mite Panonychus citri (McGregor) , in Corrientes it has been observed feeding actively on citrus leafminer P. citrella; the other species, C. rafaeli, could have similar prey. Chrysopodes lineafrons and Leucochrysa gemina attack both the Asian citrus psyllid D. citri, a important HLB vector. The predatory action of the remaining species has not been determined yet. These species of Chrysopidae with other predators could constitute a valuable aid for the biocontrol of Corrientes citrus pests.