Avaliação dos danos causados por (Westwood, 1837) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae), em diferen tes niveis e épocas de infestação, na qualidade da semente de soja (\u3ci\u3eGlycine max\u3c/i\u3e (L.) Merrill)

Assessment of soybean seed quality in relation to the damage caused by Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood, 1837) (Hemiptera, Pentatornidae) at various infestation levels and at diferent stages of soybean development (Glycine max (L.) Merrill). Stinkbug effect on soybean seed quality was studied. Field tests were carried out in Guaiba, Rio Grande do Sul, 1974/75. Soybean plants were artificially infested at various densities of Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood, 1837) per 0.5m of row and at different stages of soybean development by means of isolation cages. Stinkbug infestations restricted from full bloom up to the beginning of pod formation do not result in reduction of seed quality. However, infestation during full bloom up to the complete physiological maturity of the seed or restricted to the seed development stage do result in reduction of seed quality in terms of percentage damaged seeds, oil and protein content, and seed germination. Similar results were obtained with higher infestation leveIs during the physiological maturation of the seeds. A qualidade da semente de soja pode ser afetada pela ação dos insetos da família Pentatomidae que apresentam uma preferência pelas estruturas frutíferas de sua planta hospedeira, causando danos considerãveis ã mesma