Biology of Psyllobora confluens fed with Erysiphe cichoracearum fungus

Abstract

The objective of this work was to assess the biological aspects of Psyllobora confluens fed with Erysiphe cichoracearum fungus in okra leaves. New hatched larvae of P. confluens were individualized and fed daily with powdery mildew hyphae and conidia of the fungus, in okra leaves, at 23.6±3 and 27.4±3^oC and 12 hours of photophase. The developmental period of immature stages, reproductive aspects and longevity of P. confluens were evaluated. The period from larvae development to adult emergence was 20.5 days at 23.6^oC and 16.6 days at 27.4^oC. Under the tested temperatures, 80% of P. confluens larvae reached the adult phase. P. confluens females showed oviposition period of 32.7 days, with daily and total capacity of oviposition of 16.8 and 439.9 eggs, respectively. The longevity of females was 46.1 days and of males 58.7 days. P. confluens fed with E. cichoracearum in okra leaves completes its life cycle and presents high standard of survival and reproduction.