title: Characterization of the earwig, Doru lineare, as a predator of larvae of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda: a functional response study.
abstract: Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is considered as the most important pest of maize in almost all tropical America. In Argentina, the earwig Doru lineare Eschscholtz (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) has been observed preying on S. frugiperda egg masses in corn crops, but no data about its potential role as a biocontrol agent of this pest have been provided. The predation efficiency of D. lineare on newly emerged S. frugiperda larva was evaluated through a laboratory functional response study. D. lineare showed type II functional response to S. frugiperda larval density, and disc equation estimations of searching efficiency and handling time were (a) = 0.374 and (t) = 182.9 s, respectively. Earwig satiation occurred at 39.4 S. frugiperda larvae.
authors.affiliation: Sección Entomología, Fundación Miguel Lillo. M. Lillo 250 3er piso (CP 4000), S.M. de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina. romerosueldo@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mabel Romero
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sueldo
authors.forename: Octavio A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Bruzzone
authors.forename: Eduardo G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Virla
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007313:Insecta / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*