Resumen

LEFEBVRE, M.G; REGUILON, C  y  KIRSCHBAUM, D.S. Evaluación del efecto de la liberación de Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: anthocoridae), como agente de control biológico de trips en el cultivo de frutilla. RIA. Rev. investig. agropecu. [online]. 2013, vol.39, n.3, pp.273-280. ISSN 1669-2314.

Tucumán is the main Argentina's strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) exporting province. Among the biotic menaces of this crop, thrips are one of the major pests, attacking leaves, flowers and fruits (bronzing). On the other hand, one of most recognized natural enemies of thrips is Orius insidiosus (insidious flower bug), which feeds of all the developmental stages of thrips, predating great amounts of individuals. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of releasing insidious flower bugs as thrips biological controller in strawberry crops. The study was carried out in Famaillá, province of Tucumán, on a strawberry crop, cultivar "Festival". Treatments were "with Orius releasing" and "control without Orius releasing". The experimental design was completely randomized, with 2 treatments and 3 replications. Plots consisted of 40 plants each. Once the presence of thrips on the crop was verified, all experimental plots were covered with white antiaphid screens. Immediately, adults of O. Insidiosus were released on leaves and flowers of 15 alternate plants of the treated plots. Screens were removed 48 h after the release (AR) of Orius, when the first insect sampling was performed. The other three sampling dates were at 5, 16 and 29 days AR. As result, on one hand, two species of thrips were found: Frankliniella schultzei, already cited as a strawberry pest in Tucumán, and another species of the Frankliniella genus, which is not known in the region. The first one was more adundant. On the other hand, the effect of O. insidiosus as biological controller of thrips was observed, resulting that Orius had more preference for F. schultzei than for F. sp.. The predator established in the crop in space and time, which was confirmed 2 months later in strawberry plants located several meters away from the experimental plots. Insidious flower bugs are considered a promissory environmental friendly pest control resource, for strawberry crops in northwestern Argentina.

Palabras clave : Insidious flower bug; Population dynamics; Fragaria ananassa; Biocontrol.

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