PROSPECCIÓN DE ENTOMOPATÓGENOS DE Spodoptera frugiperda Smith EN TRES LOCALIDADES DE MANABÍ

Abstract

Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is the main pest of maize in America, being its control with synthetic pesticides, in spite of having natural enemies, among them entomopathogens. The objective of this study was to determine the diversity of entomopathogens of S. frugiperda in three locations in Manabí. Maize crops were selected in Estancia Vieja, Lodana and Santa Ana. Three samples were taken from each corn crop to collect the different stages of the insect, which were taken to the Entomology laboratory of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering where they were placed in rearing chambers to record the diseased stages. The entomopathogens were isolated on PDA culture medium and identified by microscopic observations and morphological characteristics of the microorganism. The diversity of the entomopathogens was obtained using Simpson's diversity index. The incidence of natural control of the entomopathogen was 4% and was only recorded in Lodana. Only one fungus was found, which according to morphological characteristics corresponds to the genus Lecanicillium. The action of the entomopathogen on S. frugiperda occurred only in the larval stage. During this study, the parasitoid Winthemia sp. was found. The diversity of entomopathogens was low and was only recorded in the larval stage of S. frugiperda.