Impacto do ataque de adultos de Mahanarva spectabilis (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) sobre Brachiaria ruziziensis

Abstract

The spittlebugs are the main pests associated with forage, and have been causing serious damage for these grasses. Thus the objectives of this study were to determine the damage in Brachiaria ruziziensis (Germain & Evard) in function of density and time of exposure to adults Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) (second section); determine the number of adults of Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) to be used in tests for selection of genotypes Brachiaria ruziziensis (Germain & Evard) resistant to this spittlebug(third section); and finally, determine the impact of adult M. spectabilis on B. ruziziensis in field (fourth section). In the second and third sections, the experiments were conducted in a greenhouse. In the first section, the plants were exposed to the attack of 0, 12, 18 or 24 adults of M. spectabilis for 5 or 10 days, and in the second the forage was subjected to the attack of 0, 1, 2, 4 or 8 adult for 4 or 8 days. In the fourth section, the experiment was conducted in field.The plants of B. ruziziensis were infested with 0, 4, 8, 12 or 16 adult M. spectabilis for 6 days. Then, the insects were removed from the plant, and the following parameters were evaluated: content of chlorophyll, visual damage score, shoot dry mass, and the capability for regrowth. With the results of the second section, it was found that 12 adult of M. spectabilis for 5 days were enough to cause damage and affect the development and persistence of plant B. ruziziensis. From the results of the third section it was found that to select resistant plants, should be maintained adults 8 M. spectabilis for 4 days in plants of B. ruziziensis. These results may support future works, aimed at the selection of resistant plant to adults of M. spectabilis. Through the results of the fourth section, it was found that the attack of 8 adults of M. spectabilis in clump of B. ruziziensis for 6 days was sufficient to reduce the chlorophyll content and cause significant functional loss. This density can be a reference for the integrated management of spittlebug in Brachiaria.