Natural enemies recognition of Tecia solanivora (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Colombian potato grower localities

Abstract

In order to contribute with biological control of potato pests, this work proposes to collect, recognize, characterize and rear Tecia solanivora (Povolny) natural enemies in Colombian potato grower localities. Samplings were made in municipalities of the departments of Antioquia. Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Nariño, and Norte de Santander. Sampling localities were selected according to the importance of grower zones, the presence of insect pests. and nearness to indigenous vegetation. The methods applied were: the exposition of T. solanivora eggs (obtained by laboratory rearing); searching of parasitized or sick stages; a collection of affected potato tubers; observation in Jaboratory; identification by taxonomic keys and reference collections; specimen sending to specialists: biological characterization and rearing. Two specíes of bugs predators (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) were found: Buchananiel/a contigua (Buchanan White) from Mosquera (Cundinamarca), and Lyctocoris campestris (Fabricius) from Boyacá (Boyacá). both predate on eggs and larvae l. Apanteles sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) (larva - larva parasitoid) was obtained from affected potato tubers coming from Bogotá and Mosquera (Cundinamarca). Trichogramma sp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) (egg parasitoid) was found in ·Mosquera and Facatativá (Cundinarnarca) and Chitagá (North Santander). Another occasional beneficial agent found were: parasítoíds (Díptera: Tachinídae) coming from Bogotá and Chitagá, and the predators (Araneae: Lycosidae, Salticidae; Coleoptera: Carabidae. Coccinellidae, Staphylinidae, Tenebrionidae) from Bogotá and Mosquera. Verticillium sp., an entomopathogenic fungus was isolated from a dead larva. This larva was found in a potato tuber stored in Chitagá. The fungus was reactivated and reisolated in larvae IV. Laboratory rearings were made at 19, 4 ± 1,3 ºC temperature and 57,9 ± 5, 7 % relative humidity. B. antigua was reared on T. solanivora eggs and larvae J; its development egg - adult delayed 27 days consuming 51 eggs or 49 larvae. Apanteles sp. was raised parasitizing on larvae L adult wasps emerged 35 days after. Trichogramma sp. was reared on T. solanivora and Sitotroga cerealella eggs; its cycle parasitizing-emergency takes 15 days.