Coccinellidae, Syrphidae and Aphidoletes are key mortality factors for Myzus persicae in tropical regions: A case study on cabbage crops

• Published in: Crop protection Vol. 112; pp. 288 - 294
• Main Authors: Fidelis, Elisângela Gomes, das Graças do Carmo, Daiane, Santos, Abraão Almeida, de Sá Farias, Elizeu, da Silva, Ricardo Siqueira, Picanço, Marcelo Coutinho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2018
• Subjects: Aphids; Biological control; Ladybirds; Life table; Aphids; Ladybirds; Life table; Biological control
• ISSN: 0261-2194; 1873-6904
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2018.06.015

Natural factors regulate Myzus persicae populations in Brassicaceae crops. Ecological life table analysis is a robust tool that allows the estimation of the mortality caused by these factors. Here, we report the natural mortality of M. persicae caused by abiotic and biotic factors assessed by cohort life tables in cabbage crops. Together, these factors accounted for 94.6% mortality in M. persicae populations. The key mortality factor was predation by Coccinellidae larvae (Coccinella septempunctata, Cycloneda sanguinea, Eriopis connexa and Harmonia axyridis), Syrphidae (Allograpta exotica, Pseudodorus clavatus and Ocyptamus gastrostactus), and Aphidoletes sp. Other mortality factors included parasitism, rainfall, entomopathogens and physiological disturbance (e.g., incomplete molting). This information is essential to implement conservation measures of the main predators (key mortality factor) of M. persicae in cabbage crops. •We evaluated Myzus persicae mortality caused by abiotic and biotic factors.•Predators are the main factors regulating M. persicae in cabbage crops.•Strategies for the conservation of natural enemies should be adopted in cabbage crops in tropical regions.