Toxicidade de óleo essencial de Piper fuligineum Kunth (Piperaceae) sobre Euschistus heros Fabricius (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), e seletividade em Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

Abstract

The brown soybean bug is a harmful pest of Brazilian plantations, requiring multiple applications of insecticides. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) highlights sustainable alternatives, such as the use of essential oils (EOs) from plants, such as Piper fuligineum, from the Piperaceae family, recognized for its insecticidal properties. Studies have shown that there is potential for insect control, suggesting its usefulness as a biopesticide, offering a more sustainable option than conventional insecticides. However, there are concerns about indirect effects on natural enemies, such as the parasitoid Telenomus podisi, which is already used to control bedbugs. Although the Piperaceae family demonstrates efficacy against several orders of insects, it is necessary to evaluate the selectivity of P. fuligineum EO for T. podisi. The results revealed a low selectivity of EO, even at reduced concentrations, pointing to the need for additional studies to understand its impact on the parasitoid's developmental stages. The study highlights the potential of P. fuligineum EO as a promising tool in pest control but emphasizes the importance of evaluating its impact on natural enemies, such as T. podisi, before its widespread use in agriculture. This selective approach can offer sustainable solutions for pest management but requires a deeper understanding of their effects in different agricultural contexts to ensure effectiveness and preservation of natural enemies.