Occurrence of Lysiphlebus testaceipes parasitizing Aphis gossypii in watermelon in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Ocorrência de Lysiphlebus testaceipes parasitando Aphis gossypii em melancia, no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

This is the first report of the parasitoid Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) as a biological control agent of the aphid Aphis gossypii Glover in watermelon crop in Vale do Açu, RN. It was observed that near the harvest, almost all collected aphids were mummified, and after analyzing the emerged parasitoids, the parasitoid L. testaceipes was identified. Therefore, in the future, this species may be included in A. gossypii integrated management programs.

aphid; biological control; Citrullus lanatus; insects pest