Author(s): Oliveira Émerson D.M. de | Pasini Amarildo | Fonseca Inês C.B.
Journal: Neotropical Entomology
ISSN 1519-566X
Volume: 32;
Issue: 1;
Start page: 155;
Date: 2003;
Original page
Keywords: Insecta | degraded pasture | Scaptocoris castanea | brown burrowing bug
ABSTRACT
The burrowing bugs of the family Cydnidae, among them the brown burrowing bug Atarsocoris sp., are insect pests occurring in various crops, resulting in substantial losses in areas with high populations. Atarsocoris sp. is also frequently associated with weeds. The insect was found in the roots of the plant S. brasiliensis Less in degraded pasture areas. Based on this observation, the hypothesis of a correlation between this weed plant and the insect was raised. A study was conducted in sandy soils (red latossol), in pasture areas with and without S. brasiliensis, with three treatments and 10 replicates. A positive correlation was found between the weed plant and the burrowing bug. Hence this plant is an alternative host under the conditions of the study (degraded pastures and sandy soil). The positive correlation detected allows suggesting the S. brasiliensis plant as a bio-indicator of the occurrence of this insect pests in these areas.
Journal: Neotropical Entomology
ISSN 1519-566X
Volume: 32;
Issue: 1;
Start page: 155;
Date: 2003;
Original page
Keywords: Insecta | degraded pasture | Scaptocoris castanea | brown burrowing bug
ABSTRACT
The burrowing bugs of the family Cydnidae, among them the brown burrowing bug Atarsocoris sp., are insect pests occurring in various crops, resulting in substantial losses in areas with high populations. Atarsocoris sp. is also frequently associated with weeds. The insect was found in the roots of the plant S. brasiliensis Less in degraded pasture areas. Based on this observation, the hypothesis of a correlation between this weed plant and the insect was raised. A study was conducted in sandy soils (red latossol), in pasture areas with and without S. brasiliensis, with three treatments and 10 replicates. A positive correlation was found between the weed plant and the burrowing bug. Hence this plant is an alternative host under the conditions of the study (degraded pastures and sandy soil). The positive correlation detected allows suggesting the S. brasiliensis plant as a bio-indicator of the occurrence of this insect pests in these areas.
