Presencia de Phyllophaga spp. (ColeopteraScarabaeidae) y hongos entomopatógenos potenciales para su control biológico en sistemas agrícolas de Saraguro (Loja, Ecuador).

Abstract

In recent years the larvae of the genus Phyllophaga have become a serious problema in agriculture, causing losses ranging from 10 to 100 % of production, so farmers need to fight it with chemicals which are usually highly toxic. The ecological consequences of the use of insecticides are currently of great concern. The objective of these products is to kill insect pests, consequently they may cause an impact on non-target organisms, may contaminate food products and water for higher trophic levels, and possibly affect human health conditions. In nature, there is a great diversity of microorganisms, including entomopathogenic fungi, capable of controlling and reducing the larval population of Phyllophaga spp., mitigating damage to crops, and reducing production losses. Based on that, the objective of this research was to characterize and evaluate the incidence of larvae of the genus Phyllophaga in several cultures within 'La Matara' community (Saraguro canton, Loja), as well as to seek and characterize entomopathogenic fungi locally atacking Phyllophaga larvae. As a result, larvae from Phyllophaga obsoleta (representing 89% of the total population collected, distributed in all the crops evaluated) and from Cyclocephala genus were identified (only in the avocado crop). Also, the presence of Metarhizium anisopliae was confirmed parasiting Phyllophaga larvae in the agricultural soils of the community, which may be used for a biological control in La Matara. Keywords: Phyllophaga spp., entomopathogenic fungus, Cyclocephala, Metarhizium anisopliae.