Abstract

ROMERO SUELDO, Gladys M  and  VIRLA, Eduardo G. Biological traits of Doru luteipes (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) in sugar-cane crops, and consumption rates against Diatraea saccharalis eggs (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) under laboratory conditions. Rev. Soc. Entomol. Argent. [online]. 2009, vol.68, n.3-4, pp.359-363. ISSN 0373-5680.

Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) is considered the key pest of sugarcane crops in the Argentine northwest. The earwig Doru luteipes (Scudder) develops high populations on sugarcane, and in other regions it was depicted as a significant predator of diverse pest in corn, cotton, and cabbage crops. The aim of this contribution is to inform about different biological parameters of this Dermaptera, and to assess the predatory capacity of its nymphs by means of the estimation of consumption rates using Diatraea saccharalis eggs. Both field and laboratory observations were carried out. In the latter, 50 neonate nymphs were confined in glass tubes and 100 sugarcane borer eggs were provided daily. Information on different behavioral aspects is provided. In field conditions, the sex proportion is approximately 1:1; an average of 31 eggs were laid, and the emergence rate reached 95%. Egg incubation is complete within a range of 6-10 days, and pre-imaginal development has a mean duration of 37.6 days. Throughout the four nymphal instars, a single individual could consume an average of 591.3 sugarcane borer eggs. The potential implication of the given information in applied sugarcane borer control methodologies is discussed.

Keywords : Predator; Earwigs; Sugarcane borer; Argentina.

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