Effect of the floral nectar of Varronia curassavica Jacq. (Boraginaceae) on the survival of the coffee leaf miner parasitoid Proacrias coffeae Ihering (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Resumen

The enhancement of pest control through the conservation of natural enemies in agricultural fields is called conservation biological control. One of the strategies used in this system is to introduce or manage plants that can provide food for natural enemies. We assessed the effect of feeding resources on the fitness of a coffee leaf miner parasitoid, Proacrias coffeae Ihering (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), by evaluating the effect the floral nectar of Varronia curassavica on the survival of P. coffeae. When feeding on the floral nectar of V. curassavica the parasitoids increased their survival. Our results show the potential of V. curassavica as nutritional resource to enhance the fitness of the parasitoid P. coffeae, by increasing their survival. Based on the research study, it is evident that the introduction of feeding resources for P. coffeae in the coffee agroecosystem will increase their fitness as a potential biocontrol agent.