Role of a medicinal plant in attracting Chrysopidae predators and controlling Leucopteracoffeella

• Published in: Crop protection Vol. 187
• Main Authors: Martins, Elem Fialho, Andrade, Fernanda Pereira, Botti, Jéssica Mayara Coffler, Perez, André Lage, Schmidt, Jason, Venzon, Madelaine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2025
• Subjects: Ceraeochrysa cubana; Chrysoperla externa; Coffee leaf miner; Conservation biological control; Varronia curassavica; Chrysoperla externa; Conservation biological control; Coffee leaf miner; Varronia curassavica; Ceraeochrysa cubana
• ISSN: 0261-2194
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2024.106944

Intercropping in agricultural systems can enhance biological pest control, yet selecting the appropriate companion plants remains challenging. This study investigated the potential of Varronia curassavica Jacq. (Cordiaceae), a medicinal aromatic plant, to improve the biological control of the coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) by Chrysopidae predatory species. We assessed the survival of Ceraeochrysa cubana (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) larvae and adults, and the survival and reproduction of L. coffeella adults in the presence of V. curassavica inflorescences. Additionally, we evaluated whether V. curassavica in its vegetative stage, when associated with coffee plants, would influence the oviposition of another related Chrysopidae species, Chrysoperla externa, and L. coffeella. Our findings indicated that C. cubana larvae had increased survival in the presence of V. curassavica inflorescences, whereas the survival of C. cubana and L. coffeella adults was unaffected. However, the intrinsic growth and oviposition rates of L. coffeella were reduced in the presence of V. curassavica inflorescences. Furthermore, in a greenhouse experiment, the number of eggs laid by C. externa was higher when coffee plants were intercropped with V. curassavica in the vegetative stage, while the oviposition of L. coffeella was unaffected. These results suggest that V. curassavica can enhance populations of Chrysopidae predators in coffee crops and negatively impact the fitness of L. coffeella or provide no benefit to this pest. Therefore, incorporating V. curassavica into coffee cropping systems appears promising for managing L. coffeella populations by pulling in Chrysopidae predators. [Display omitted] •Feeding on V. curassavica inflorescence increases survival of C. cubana larvae.•Fitness of L. coffeella is negatively affected by V. curassavica.•Oviposition of C. externa females increases in the presence of V. curassavica.•Varronia curassavica can be used as a functional plant for controlling L. coffeella.