Evaluaci\uf3n de Metaphycus sp. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) como agente de control natural de Capulinia sp. cercana a jaboticabae von Ihering (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae)

Geraud-Pouey F, Chirinos DT, Aguirre R, Bravo Y, Quintero JA. 2001. Evaluation of Metaphycus sp. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) as agent of natural control of Capulinia sp. near of jaboticabae von Ihering (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae). Entomotropica 16(3):165-171. In Venezuela, since its appearance in 1993, Capulinia sp. is the most destructive pest on guava ( Psidium guajava L.). By early 1996 parasitism for Metaphycus sp. was detected. To evaluate its effect during March-May 1999 an assay under field conditions was conducted in Mara County, State of Zulia, Venezuela. Utilizing exclusion techniques, the treatments were evaluated: T1, guava branches completely exposed, T2, branches closed into organza cages and T3, branches into organza cages impregnated with insecticide. The populations of Capulinia were counted and the percentage of parasitism was estimated (expressed as parasitized female on female total). On T1, parasitism resulted highest (100%, P<0.05), observing lower population mean (12.70 individual), whereas on T3, Capulinia reached its population maxim levels (200.5 individual) detecting 39.66% of parasitism. Thus, Metaphycus sp. resulted an important regulator factor on Capulinia populations during this period.Geraud-Pouey F, Chirinos DT, Aguirre R, Bravo Y, Quintero JA. 2001. Evaluaci\uf3n de Metaphycus sp. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) como agente de control natural de Capulinia sp. cercana a jaboticabae von Ihering (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae). Entomotropica 16(3):165-171. En Venezuela, desde 1993, Capulinia sp. se ha convertido en la plaga de mayor importancia en el cultivo del guayabo ( Psidium guajava L.). A principios 1996 se detect\uf3 apreciable parasitismo por Metaphycus sp. Para evaluar su efecto, se realiz\uf3 un ensayo de campo durante los meses marzo-mayo 1999, en el municipio Mara, estado Zulia, Venezuela. Mediante la t\ue9cnica de exclusi\uf3n se evaluaron los tratamientos: T1, ramas de guayabo completamente expuestas, T2, ramas encerradas en jaulas de organza y T3, ramas en jaulas de organza impregnadas con insecticida. Se contaron las poblaciones de Capulinia y se estim\uf3 el porcentaje de parasitismo (expresado como hembras parasitadas del total de hembras). En T1, el parasitismo result\uf3 superior (100%, P<0,05), observ\ue1ndose el menor promedio poblacional (12,70 individuos) mientras que en T3, Capulinia alcanz\uf3 sus m\ue1ximos niveles poblacionales (200,5 individuos) detect\ue1ndose 39,66% de parasitismo. As\ued, Metaphycus sp. durante ese per\uedodo de estudio, result\uf3 un importante factor de regulaci\uf3n de las poblaciones de Capulinia sp