The objective of this study was to verify the reproductive compatibility between populations of Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma, to ascertain that they belonged to the same species. The individuals collected in the field were identified as E. citrifolius based on morphological characters. Populations were collected from Bauhinia sp. in Arroio do Meio - RS, Coffea arabica L. in Campinas - SP and Terminalia catappa L. in Petrolina - PE, Brazil. Homogamic and heterogamic crosses and backcrosses were conducted to evaluate reproduction for a period of 10 days. Oviposition rates in homogamic crosses were generally higher than in heterogamic crosses. Partial incompatibility was observed in heterogamic crosses involving females from Petrolina; they did not produce offspring when backcrossed with males of parental populations. This apparent incompatibility can be due to intrinsic characteristics represented by difference in genomic population. So, the populations studied belong to the same species, and the gene flow can occur between populations from Petrolina and Arroio do Meio, as well as between populations from Campinas and Petrolina. Study for detection of Wolbachia and molecular characterization of this populations may be a good tool for the understanding of incompatibility results.
Biological control; mite; phytoseiid; predator
