EVALUATION OF ESSENTIAL OILS ON BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF Neoleucinodes elegantalis (GUENÉE) (LEPIDOPTERA: CRAMBIDAE) AND IN Trichogramma pretiosum RILEY (HYMENOPTERA: TRICHOGRAMMATIDAE)
Tomato culture, tomato borer, essential oils, biology, physiology, reproduction, histochemistry, biological control.
Tomato cultivation is of paramount importance for the development of national and regional agribusiness. Being frequently affected by several insect pests that cause damage, and may even make the final product unfeasible, the marketed fruit, especially the small tomato borer, Neoleucinodes elegantalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), which ends up generating economic losses due to make the product unfit for industrial consumption and processing. The main method of control used is chemical, which due to the continuous use stimulated by the habit of the pest, which spends a large part of its life cycle inside the fruits protected by the same, has had its effect diminished, causing the emergence of resistant populations, as well as harming the environment and human beings. Aiming at a more sustainable agriculture and reducing the damage caused by the usual control methods, several researchers have been trying to develop products that have a low residual effect, that present an insecticidal effect and that are selective to natural enemies such as Trichogramma pretiosum Rilley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), with emphasis on the use of essential oils. However, there are few works that approach this method for the control of N. elegantalis, which makes it necessary to explore the potential of essential oils as it has already been explored for other pests of economic importance. In view of the above, this research aims to analyze the effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and sandalwood (Santalum album) essential oils on the reproductive biology and physiology of N. elegantalis, as well as to compare with the formulated products azadirachtin (Azamax®) and deltamethrin (Decis®), and to evaluate its selectivity to the parasitoid of T. pretiosum eggs. The results obtained will contribute to the reduction of the use of chemical insecticides in the tomato crop.